Helmet Laws

Mrs Behavin

Mrs Behavin

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There is a bike rally going on here this weekend and I saw this posted on the local news channel and thought I would see what ya'll thought about this.

ArkansasMatters.com

Although the rules vary from state to state, there is a big push to get everyone in every state to wear a motorcycle helmet, even if it means passing a new law.

The Natural State hasn't had that one on the books since 1997. Thousands of bikers cruised into Hot Springs for this weekend's biker rally.

"Well, I figure I have one head and one chance to ruin it so it's just a safety thing for me,” says biker Gary Theodoro.

"I really enjoy coming over here and riding with out a helmet, it just feels good,” says biker Keith Davis.

A choice that's perfectly legal in Arkansas, for the time being.

The National Transportation and Safety Board supports new research that suggests helmet laws should be in place nationwide.

In Arkansas, the number of fatal accidents where helmets weren't worn has been steadily climbing since 1996.

But organizers of the Hot springs Rally say even though they know helmets make riding safer, they worry that Arkansas adopting a helmet law could effect participation at their event.

"I think everybody admits that surely a helmet's a lot safer and I think that's why if you're under 21 you have to wear a helmet in the state of Arkansas.

Our surrounding states don't have that law so I think it would sort of put us at a competitive disadvantage,” says Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, Steve Arrison.

And some bikers say they agree with that thinking, because at the end of the day, they'd rather ride in a state that allows them to make their own decisions when it comes to safety.

"I think it ought to be a choice you ought to have a choice to decide if you want to ride it or not,” Davis says.

Officials with the Hot Springs rally estimate their event brings in well over a million dollars worth of revenue for the city.

This is the second year they've put the rally on
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I say let God pick off the stupid ones ;) If they don't want to wear a helmit, let 'em. Sooner or later they will regret that fateful decision.
 
passed a law in Pa a little while ago that you dont have to wear a helmet.

Fucking stupid if you ask me but i dont ride a bike so i dont know what the reasoning is. maybe increase suroundings. who knows
 
Haus said:
passed a law in Pa a little while ago that you dont have to wear a helmet.

Fucking stupid if you ask me but i dont ride a bike so i dont know what the reasoning is. maybe increase suroundings. who knows
Click to expand...

People like the freedom of feeling the air in the hair. I, however don't like the bugs, rocks and road grime that comes with that kind of territory. My tinted face mask is all dinged up, I can't imagine what my face would look like after riding ;)
 
my uncle got in a motor cylcle accident about 7 years ago. smashed his head on a curb. has not been right in the head since that day. he had a helmet on. I CAN imagine what would of happened if he wasnt wearing a helmet.

i asked a guy one time why he doesnt wear a helmet and he said if he gets in a accident and hits his head he would rather be dead then live and be a vegtible for the rest of his life.
So i dunno
 
It's a trade off.

Safety verse better visibility and hearing about whats going on around you.

Depending on the helmet, it can muffle the sounds around you that you may need to react, and it may obstruct some of your blind spot vision.

On the other hand, hitting your skull on the pavement lessens your chances of living over hitting your covered skull on the pavement.

I don't agree with the seatbelt laws, but I abide by it because it's safer. If I had a bike, I'd be wearing a helmet too. I'm just glad that the helmet is up to the biker.
 
James is right about the peripheral vision and better hearing, which greatly decreases the risk of having an accident in the first place. Florida had the helmet law and dropped it, so did Tennessee and I don't think Kentucky ever had it. I say let them decide...they're only potentially hurting themselves.
 
Well in florida the only law is you have to wear a helmet if you are under 21 and if over 21 have to have atleast 10,000 in insurance. Personally I wear a helmet not because I have to but because I can't see the wisdom in not doing it. I get alot of friends who say they don't wear them because they don't think they are comfortable or that they can't hear with it over their ears and I can tell you from experience that thats just BS. Even a full helmet that fits right has absolutely no negative effects on your sight. In fact wearing riding glasses restricts yoru sight more then a full helmet ever could.
 
I just don't like bugs flying into my face at 65 MPH. It hurts when they hit my arms, can't imagine them hitting me in the face or the eye.
 
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