[flsteve]

Originally Posted by blueash

There is no such thing as a brain damaged person who does not hurt anyone else. There is no one who has enough health insurance to cover a lifetime of 24 hr/d nursing care. Would you accept that if you wish to ride with no helmet then you must carry a different policy to cover those health care costs so they don't fall on the public welfare?

Riding with no helmet is the quintessential example of Free-dumb

There are many studies comparing death, disability, $$$, if you want evidence.

One study looked at outcome data for helmet wearing vs helmet refusing riders involved in hospitalization [not even considering those who did not require hospital care]

"Conclusions
In summary, our study using the National Trauma Data Bank supports the use of helmets in motorcycle riders. In this series, which included data from 10,345 patients involved in MCCs, unhelmeted MCC patients had more severe injuries (increased ISS, decreased GCS), higher rates of ICU admissions, higher rates of mechanical ventilation, and increased in-hospital mortality when compared with helmeted MCC patients. The unhelmeted patients were also more likely to be uninsured or government-insured. Our analysis suggests the need to revisit the issue regarding laws requiring protective headwear while riding motorcycles because of the individual and societal impact. Helmet use is truly a societal issue, as the cost burden is endured by the public, and must be addressed in a nationwide policy reform of helmet law"


Now tell me again how not wearing a helmet doesn't impact anyone but the stupid rider. It is good for the organ harvest business. Donorcycles

and on that same subject of it not affecting others... it could also make an otherwise survivable accident turn into manslaughter instead, because a rider refused to protect themself.