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by Biker-Terry from Missouri

Last Post 410 days, 14 hours Ago


Motorcycle rider deaths on the rise (part 2)
Mar 31, 2008 | 9:52 AM
Category: Traffic
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I would like to thank Fox4’s Kathy Quinn, The Springfield News-Leader and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for proving me correct.

Kathy Quinn did some more research (she read the Springfield News-Leader) and again skirted the real stat of the most importance. Fox 4 reported “Even though Missouri has a helmet law, the study shows that nearly 20 percent of people who died in motorcycle crashes were not wearing helmets” lets tell the truth here Kathy, that means 80 PERCENT OF THOSE INVOLVED IN A MOTORCYCLE RELATED DEATH WERE WEARING ONE. Proof that a helmet will not necessarily save your life if involved in an accident. On that I rest my case.

Kathy Quinn also reported…… “The study showed that white males around 38 years old made up 92-percent of the deaths. There are a number of factors that have contributed to the trend. More people are taking advantage of motorcycle's better gas mileage, and baby boomers are now getting back into the hobby of motorcycling.” I’ll bet 99 percent had not ridden in many years and/or had not been riding for more than 3 years prior to their death. I’ll also bet money that a high percentage are young kids on crotch rockets.

Now at least some one is actually looking at the real cause of the high number of motorcycle rider deaths. It’s the RUBS (rich urban bikers) who have more money than sense, and the wanna-bees who want to wear leather and look cool who are causing this high death rate, all of whom have little or no extended riding experience.

Kathy, I’d also like to know how many of those deaths were single vehicle accidents, how many were caused by another vehicle and how much experience those who died had.

How about the numbers on a National level.

Lets change the Helmet Laws to put them on the heads of those who need them the most and strengthen the laws regarding rider safety training and licensing.

Let those that ride decide.

Peace.

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Member Comments Total Comments: 9
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Biker-Terry read my blog view my photos
Mar 31, 2008 | 1:50 PM

One more point I'd like to make before I get "flamed" by too many out there that have just recently started to ride...

Yes it is true that experienced riders also die in motorcycle related crashes, I personaly have lost friends over the years that had many years and miles of experience.

Let me tell you how they died....

Four friends were killed by car drivers who didn't give them the right-of-way or didn't see them.

One died because she wasn't paying attention to the conditions of the road (there was loose dirt on a curve from a recent heavy rain).

One was too tired to be riding in the first place and misjudged his stopping distance and ran into a stopped vehicle.

ALL OF THEM WERE WEARING HELMETS.

Peace.
Piglit79 read my blog view my photos
Apr 1, 2008 | 9:20 AM

I agree with all you say. This always happens when there is a bill to repeal the helmet law. The facts don't say everything, such as, there are a lot more bikes on the road now than there was during their last survey, which will of course include a large number of new and rusty riders. I feel that if you are old enough to vote, pay insurance, and buy a bike, the helmet issue should be a personal one to make.
My two cents.
Biker-Terry read my blog view my photos
Apr 1, 2008 | 10:10 AM

--Piglit79, Thanks for your two cents.
I just finished reading your blogs and see that you also brought up this subject ..... "Repeal of helmet law, Mar 15, 2007 | 9:01 AM".
In a comment posted by putput7842, stated "Law makers don't give a rats crap about you wearing a helmet but insurance companies do".

I don't agree with that because it would cost the insurance companies more to keep a person alive than it would be to bury one. Wouldn't it?
I beleive it's the Motorcycle Industry behind it.
Why? Well it's alot easier to sell something you can say is "safe".
But the well informed know that a helmet just can't protect the wearer from death in all cases just ask Kathy Quinn.

Now as for lobbyists in Washington..... Well that will be in another blog soon.....

Peace.
Piglit79 read my blog view my photos
Apr 2, 2008 | 9:38 AM

What usually happens when a bill similar to this comes up is they use it as a bargainig chip to get something else they think has a stronger chance of passing. Have helmets saved lives?...sometimes....have seat belts saved lives?..again..sometimes. Depending on the force of the accident, they also just make for an open casket funeral, or help keep the body in the car so the authorities won't have to hunt for it. Safety precautions only work.....sometimes.
mzjazz37 read my blog view my photos
Apr 17, 2008 | 10:39 AM

I am a rider ... love motorcycles and riding!

BUT, I DO wear my helmet. It just seems to be common sense, just like wearing leather to help protect my skin. (No, it's not a fashion statement)

Do I think helmets should be a law?

No ... If a person doesn't want to take advantage of added protection, then let them do what they want.

Helmets and other protection will not save you in alot of cases, but in many cases it might.
That is just MY opinion. Government should not legislate people's personal safety.

What it comes down to is this .....

If it's your time to go, you WILL go.
If it's not ... that helmet and leather might make things a little LESS painful LOL

It should be your choice.
Biker-Terry read my blog view my photos
Apr 23, 2008 | 1:08 PM

Well said Mzjazz37.

Hmmm, I know from personal experience that leather will protect your skin more than a helmet will protect your head. I've had to take a MC down a couple of times in my life, and the leather I wore protected my skin well, it took the brunt of my stupidity. But during those incidents my head never touched the ground. Was it luck? maybe. Was it skill in knowing how to ride my scoot down? possibly.

I wonder when the politicians who govern our common sense will pass a law that requires MC riders to wear pants and boots? or leathers at all times? Have you seen the clowns that wear a helmet, sneakers and shorts? Just falling over could cause thosands of dollars in damaged skin.

But hey, thats should be their own choice to make, shouldn't it?

Peace.
mzjazz37 read my blog view my photos
Apr 23, 2008 | 1:23 PM

Yes, it should be a personal choice.
I don't want the government telling me I HAVE to.

Government wants to tell us everything. They should not legislate personal safety or health, our morality, how private business operate, mandate health insurance, tell us how to raise our kids, and many other place where they have no business.
We don't need government to protect us from ourselves, we need people to take responsibililty for what they do and do not do.
Biker-Terry read my blog view my photos
Apr 24, 2008 | 9:21 AM

I like the way you think mzjazz73.

Peace.
1967biker
May 22, 2008 | 3:36 PM

Every body above made some good statements. I agree that a lot of accidents of 1 vehicle is the old rider coming back and the new rider. I have several friends that I rode with in the 60's and 70's coming back to riding. About 50 percent have met Mr. pavement. So far luck be with us no deaths of cripples. In all cases there were two major contibuting factors. Their rusty and slowed reflexs and the overall condition of the rurual roads. MODOT has spent Billions of dollars the last few years to inprove our major hwy's but let the other hwy's go. The roads here around Truman lake are in the worse condition I've seen them in 40 years.

The other factor you may not know. If helmets are so great and save so many lives why is it that 3 out of the top 4 of the highest death states are MANDATORY helmet states?
1967biker
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Biker-Terry

US Citizen by Birth, Biker by Choice, and U.S. Army VET(77-82). I've been riding motorcycles for over 35 years. I Currently own and ride a 1999 HD Springer. I am the Father of three fine young adults, Two are in College, One is in Iraq for his second tour. He joined at 17 just like I did of his own free will. IF YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO STAND BEHIND OUR TROOPS . . . . PLEASE FEEL FREE TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM !! You may disagree with what I say and that is fine, but I won't argue with you, period. I will attempt to provide info to prove my point if I make a statement, and I'll expect the same if you want to debate an issue. I reserve the right to delete any post to my blog that goes off topic. If you want to go off on a tangent other than what I have proffered, do it on your own blog. biker.terry@yahoo.com Peace.

Member Since: 3/27/2008


 

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