Comments about ‘UHP urges safe motorcycle riding in wake of 22 deaths since May’

In my 20s, I put over 40,000 miles on a bike in four years. My motorcycle safety training saved my life at least once each year.

Six of us rode when I was that age. Every year, at least one of my friends would ditch. Only one other friend besides me took a course -- different schools, different instructors, different years -- and we were the only two to never crash.

I'm now in my late 30s and looking forward to getting another bike in three or four years. I WILL be taking a refresher course.

I encourage people who want to ride to do it -- get a bike! But first, take a safety course! Then ride all you like, and enjoy it.

Utah had a helmet law, for a little while....but it was overturned as "government interference with my rights to ride as I please".

Tell you what, helmetless riders: YOU choose to ride without a helmet, and WE should not have to spend our tax money on your health care.

It's funny how "rights" always work only one way, isn't it, righties?

22 does seem like a lot. Be careful out there! (You too, car drivers.)

This article seems to find fault only with the motorcycle riders, and doesn't mention the fact that many times a rider is injured it's because a person driving a car isn't paying attention.

Start seeing motorcycles!

A helmet law is no more restictive than a seatbelt law. Bring it back and save the lives!

i really wish people would do some research on just how much good helmets do you people who always say ""well if they were wearing a helmet they would have lived """ thats a crock over 40 helmets are usless and 85 percent of wrecks happen over 40 oh and guess what 75 percent of wrecks are a car drivers fault NOT the bikers fault helmets over 40 mph only insure an open cacket and guess what else those numbers are from studies ranging from the 60's to the early 2000's so dont argue with me argue with the people who do the studies

A helmet law would save many, many lives. If you're not bright enough to wear a helmet on your own, then you need a law that will protect you from yourself!

Facts

* Head injury is the leading cause of death in motorcycle crashes. (U.S. Department of Transportation/National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, State Legislative Fact Sheet)
* Helmets are estimated to be 37 percent effective in preventing fatal injuries to motorcyclists. (NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts, Motorcycles, 2006)
* Wearing a properly fitted helmet can actually improve the rider's ability to hear by streamlining the head and ear which can deduce wind noise allowing the rider to hear other sounds. (Safe Cycling-Motorcycle Safety Foundation Publication.)
* Helmets prevent eye injuries and distraction from dust, dirt and debris thrown up by other vehicles on the road. (Safe Cycling-Motorcycle Safety Foundation Publication.)
* Per vehicle mile, motorcyclists are about 37 times as likely as passenger car occupants to die in a traffic crash and about 8 times as likely to be injured. (NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts, 2006)
* Hospital stays are longer for unhelmeted riders and the cost to taxpayers is significantly higher since many motorcyclists are uninsured. (Michigan Traffic Safety Information Council.)

Based on your incoherent comments I have to ask, have you ever been in a motorcycle accident without wearing a helmet?

So in conclusion: If you wear a helmut you'll probably die, if you don't wear a helmut you'll probably die, if you take a safety course a car will hit you and you'll probably die. Now get out there and ride !

As the nurse quoted in this article, I want people to undersand I ride a motorcycle as well. I have been riding a Harley Fat Boy since 2003. I took a Harley sponsored, DOT approved Motorcycle Safety Course. Best decision I ever made. I laid my bike down at 40 mph because of a teenager girl driving a mini van full of friends that cut me off. It isn't just motorcyclists fault, other drivers need to be more aware. Unfortunatley, I see a lot of patients in my ED who are the result of driving under the influence, reckless speed, and other controlable issues. Most of these patients don't have helmets on. Granted when you meet another car or a deer at 75 mph, it's not pretty- helemt or no helmet. I want people to ride smarter and safer. I love my job and there will always be job security for me, helmet or no helmet.