Comments about ‘Letter: Be smart, wear motorcycle helmets’

You should wear a helmet. That said it is an individual choice. By making taxpayers pay for it you are taking away freedom from the taxpayers.

Yep. Rights are counterbalanced by the greater good of society, on this and many other issues. When someone screams about their rights and freedom, it usually means they care only about their own selfish interests.

But higv, those who don't wear helmets and then need extensive medical care ARE taking freedom away from the rest of us as they increase medical and insurance premiums for all of us. In states where helmets are required, auto insurance rates run at least 20% lower than in states where helmets are optional.

If irresponsible people want to be organ donors, fine. But how about adding a clause to all insurance policies that if one fails to wear a helmet or safety belt in a car, they will forfeit any claim to insurance and medical payments?

An Insurance company has a right to sell services and make prices to anyone they want. Find another insurance company if you don't like yours. Speeding tickets boost insurance company prices up as well. But that is the Insurance companies choice. TAxes should not be used to pay medical bills. Allowing taxes to pay medical bills gives the legislature the right to make you wear a helmet or seat belt. As they will pay for it anyway.

Don't want to wear a helmet? Sign a statement stating that you (and your family) forever refuse any and all taxpayer aid due to any motorcycle accident (also, proof of medical insurance would be nice). Then ride with your hair in the wind if you so choose.

BTW, my nurse friends have a term for those who ride that way. Donors.

@Twin Lights: "Sign a statement stating that you (and your family) forever refuse any and all taxpayer aid due to any motorcycle accident..."

Does your advice apply equally to speeders on the freeway? More deaths on highways are caused by speeding than any other cause.

Oh, BTW, Twin Lights... do you speed on the freeway? Be honest.

Miss Piggie,

Sure. Do bikers (whether wearing a helmet or not) ever speed? Sure. And many drive far more aggressively than I ever do.

So what is the difference? I wear a seat/shoulder belt and require all who ride with me to do so as well. I have a car that rates well in crash tests and has multiple airbags. I also have good health insurance.

So . . . there is much less likelihood (in any given accident) that I will be even remotely as hurt as would a biker and especially a biker with no helmet. Even if so hurt, I have coverage that should prevent anyone from having to pick up the tab for me.

I understand that speed kills. But when you are already virtually without protection (no crush zone around a bike) not wearing proper gear, including a helmet is foolish.

BTW, my son had a friend die in a motorcycle accident. He was speeding around a corner and, of course, not wearing a helmet. My sister and brother in law are bikers. They wear all the right gear even though they live in a state that does not require helmets.