Monday, February 11, 2013
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Motorcycle Helmets Have No Effect on the Death to Accident Ratio
If motorcycle helmets have significant safety benefits, then the ratio of deaths to accidents should decline as the use of helmets increases, such as after a mandatory helmet law is enacted. Yet in most states the Death to Accident Ratio (DAR) averages between 2% to 3% both before and after helmet laws have been enacted. Proponents of mandatory helmet laws are quick to point out that the total number of deaths and accidents decline after enactment of a mandatory helmet law; however, the dismiss the fact that this overall “improvement” is due to fewer motorcyclists on the road. When forced to wear a helmet, many riders quit riding. For instance, the year prior (1991) to a mandatory helmet law there were 639,388 registered motorcycles in California. In 1992, a mandatory helmet law went into effect and motorcycle registrations continued to fall through 1999. In 1999 there were only 413,676 registered motorcycles and only recently has the number of registered motorcycles exceeded the 1991 numbers. At the same time Motorcycle fatalities in California increased 175% in ten years, from 204 in 1998 to 560 in 2008. These increases in motorcyclist deaths occurred at a time when a mandatory helmet law was enacted. California did experience reductions in motorcycle fatalities in 2009 and 2010; but, preliminary 2011 data indicated a possible increase in fatalities; furthermore, motorcyclists are over represented in overall numbers of California traffic deaths. All of this in spite of California’s Universal Helmet Law.
Often those that oppose helmet laws run into the problem with being combined with those that are anti seat belts. This is unfortunate and a combination that results from ignorance. Helmets are not even in the same category as automobile seat belts. Seat belts keep the driver behind the controls of the vehicle allowing the driver a chance to control the vehicle without having to overcome their own inertia. A helmet, actually increases one’s inertia, even if it is ever so slight of an increase, can decrease both your field of vision and your ability to hear. A decrease in field of vision and hearing is not beneficial to motorcycle riding in an urban environment. A large percentage of motorcycle accidents occur in intersections and are the result of a motorist not visually registering the oncoming motorcyclist and turning in front of (failing to give the right away to) the motorcyclist. So, a motorcyclist should have their vision unobstructed to at least give them a fighting chance to see the head and eye movement of the driver that could be the cause of an accident that could kill them.
There are many questions one should ask before blaming a helmet, or lack thereof, on the outcome of a motorcycle accident. First and foremost, did the operator of the motorcycle have the proper endorsement on his license? If that is not the case, well that is the start of one issue surrounding motorcyclists. Second, did the operator receive training via one of the many “learn to ride” programs offered in the area? Thirdly, did the assumed trained rider practice their acquired proper riding skills, as taught by the MSF curriculum? Fourth, was the motorcycle involved properly maintained and functioning properly? Fifth, was the motorcyclist operating the motorcycle in a safe manner and within the rules of the road? In a recent motorcycle related death, which occurred in a suburb just north of Detroit, a motorcyclist engaged in erratic behavior by abruptly changing lanes to exit a freeway after it was safe to do so, encountering rumble strips, subsequently losing control of the motorcycle, which resulted in the unfortunate injury of his passenger and death his death. This is a classic example of not how a “helmet” may or may not have saved a life; but, of how an undisciplined rider can affect the lives of many. We must mandate all those that choose to ride a motorcycle to become trained, properly licensed and educate all the other motorists with whom we share the road on how to properly drive and stay aware of their surroundings. This is especially true in climates that are not conducive to motorcycling all year long. Safe practice and performance resulting in accident avoidance is what keeps a motorcyclist safe and injury free, it is plain and simple.
Often those that oppose helmet laws run into the problem with being combined with those that are anti seat belts. This is unfortunate and a combination that results from ignorance. Helmets are not even in the same category as automobile seat belts. Seat belts keep the driver behind the controls of the vehicle allowing the driver a chance to control the vehicle without having to overcome their own inertia. A helmet, actually increases one’s inertia, even if it is ever so slight of an increase, can decrease both your field of vision and your ability to hear. A decrease in field of vision and hearing is not beneficial to motorcycle riding in an urban environment. A large percentage of motorcycle accidents occur in intersections and are the result of a motorist not visually registering the oncoming motorcyclist and turning in front of (failing to give the right away to) the motorcyclist. So, a motorcyclist should have their vision unobstructed to at least give them a fighting chance to see the head and eye movement of the driver that could be the cause of an accident that could kill them.
There are many questions one should ask before blaming a helmet, or lack thereof, on the outcome of a motorcycle accident. First and foremost, did the operator of the motorcycle have the proper endorsement on his license? If that is not the case, well that is the start of one issue surrounding motorcyclists. Second, did the operator receive training via one of the many “learn to ride” programs offered in the area? Thirdly, did the assumed trained rider practice their acquired proper riding skills, as taught by the MSF curriculum? Fourth, was the motorcycle involved properly maintained and functioning properly? Fifth, was the motorcyclist operating the motorcycle in a safe manner and within the rules of the road? In a recent motorcycle related death, which occurred in a suburb just north of Detroit, a motorcyclist engaged in erratic behavior by abruptly changing lanes to exit a freeway after it was safe to do so, encountering rumble strips, subsequently losing control of the motorcycle, which resulted in the unfortunate injury of his passenger and death his death. This is a classic example of not how a “helmet” may or may not have saved a life; but, of how an undisciplined rider can affect the lives of many. We must mandate all those that choose to ride a motorcycle to become trained, properly licensed and educate all the other motorists with whom we share the road on how to properly drive and stay aware of their surroundings. This is especially true in climates that are not conducive to motorcycling all year long. Safe practice and performance resulting in accident avoidance is what keeps a motorcyclist safe and injury free, it is plain and simple.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
How about shifting the paradigm surrounding motorcycle helmet laws?
Negate the Helmet Mandates, Let’s Educate!
My thoughts on Universal Mandatory Helmet Laws
If motorcycle helmets have significant safety benefits, then the ratio of deaths to accidents should decline as the use of helmets increases, such as after a mandatory helmet law is enacted. Yet in most states the Death to Accident Ratio (DAR) averages between 2% to 3% both before and after helmet laws have been enacted. Proponents of mandatory helmet laws are quick to point out that the total number of deaths and accidents decline after enactment of a mandatory helmet law; however, they dismiss the fact that this overall “improvement” is due to fewer motorcyclists on the road. When forced to wear a helmet, many riders quit riding. For instance, the year prior (1991) to a mandatory helmet law there were 639,388 registered motorcycles in California. In 1992, a mandatory helmet law went into effect and motorcycle registrations continued to fall through 1999. In 1999 there were only 413,676 registered motorcycles and only recently has the number of registered motorcycles exceeded the 1991 numbers. At the same time Motorcycle fatalities in California increased 175% in ten years, from 204 in 1998 to 560 in 2008. These increases in motorcyclist deaths occurred at a time when a mandatory helmet law was enacted. California did experience reductions in motorcycle fatalities in 2009 and 2010; but, preliminary 2011 data indicated a possible increase in fatalities; furthermore, motorcyclists are over represented in overall numbers of California traffic deaths. All of this in spite of California’s Universal Helmet Law.
Often those that oppose helmet laws run into the problem with being combined with those that are anti seat belts. This is unfortunate and a combination that results from ignorance. Helmets are not even in the same category as automobile seat belts. Seat belts keep the driver behind the controls of the vehicle allowing the driver a chance to control the vehicle without having to overcome their own inertia. A helmet, actually increases one’s inertia, even if it is ever so slight of an increase, can decrease both your field of vision and your ability to hear. A decrease in field of vision and hearing is not beneficial to motorcycle riding in an urban environment. A large percentage of motorcycle accidents occur in intersections and are the result of a motorist not visually registering the oncoming motorcyclist and turning in front of (failing to give the right away to) the motorcyclist. So, a motorcyclist should have their vision unobstructed to at least give them a fighting chance to see the head and eye movement of the driver that could be the cause of an accident that could kill them.
There are many questions one should ask before blaming a helmet, or lack thereof, on the outcome of a motorcycle accident. First and foremost, did the operator of the motorcycle have the proper endorsement on his license? If that is not the case, well that is the start of one issue surrounding motorcyclists. Second, did the operator receive training via one of the many “learn to ride” programs offered in the area? Thirdly, did the assumed trained rider practice their acquired proper riding skills, as taught by the MSF curriculum? Fourth, was the motorcycle involved properly maintained and functioning properly? Fifth, was the motorcyclist operating the motorcycle in a safe manner and within the rules of the road? In a recent motorcycle related death, which occurred in a suburb just north of Detroit, a motorcyclist engaged in erratic behavior by abruptly changing lanes to exit a freeway after it was safe to do so, encountering rumble strips, subsequently losing control of the motorcycle, which resulted in the unfortunate injury of his passenger and his death. This is a classic example of not how a “helmet” may or may not have saved a life; but, of how an undisciplined rider can affect the lives of many. We must mandate all those that choose to ride a motorcycle to become trained, properly licensed and educate all the other motorists with whom we share the road on how to properly drive and stay aware of their surroundings. This is especially true in climates that are not conducive to motorcycling all year long. Safe practice and performance resulting in accident avoidance is what keeps a motorcyclist safe and injury free, it is plain and simple.
This requires those that base the supportive opinions regarding mandatory helmet laws to shift their paradigms from one that is rooted in: “if your ride a motorcycle you will endure a wreck / accident that will cause severe injuries; and, to lessen these injuries you should wear all of the protective clothing and a full face helmet”, to a paradigm that is rooted in: “riding a motorcycle has inherent risks and demands a skill set that is way above that which is required to operate a 4+ wheeled vehicle; therefore, those choosing to ride a motorcycle must achieve certain levels of rider education to earn and maintain their motorcycle endorsement”. My initial idea would be that all must pass a basic course in rider education and earn their motorcycle endorsement prior to purchasing a motorcycle. Then those with an endorsement must pass an advanced rider course (think continuing education) during each subsequent cycle of their driver’s license. Failure to meet these educational requirements would result in an inability to register any motorcycle and render the current registration invalid immediately. The Hurt report showed evidence that a properly trained rider greatly reduces the occurrence of injury related accidents. I believe we should also mandate that all motorists pass drivers education prior to earning their drivers license and they too should have mandatory continuing education. Furthermore, these drivers education curriculums must include a substantial section regarding how to behave when traveling near and recognize motorcycles. Riding motorcycles is not illegal, and many of the risks can be reduced through proper educational programs. This would reduce all of that tax payer money that helmet proponents always mention; because, the number of accidents would be reduced. This money could be spent on proper rider / driver education programs. Also, we should take a look at what type of penalties the automobile drivers receive when the are at the fault of an accident resulting in the death of a motorcyclist. In most cases, it is a simple ticket for “failure to yield the right of way” or “failure to stop”. If you have seen the bumper sticker that reads: “kill a biker go to jail” you were in a state that behaves in the fashion illustrated by my previous statement. If your jaw is on the floor, or you are incredulous, please do a little investigation of the laws regarding these types of situations in your own state / jurisdiction. What do you think the true effect would be if indeed the immediate course of action was: if you are the driver of a car that collides with a motorcycle resulting in a life threatening injury or immediate death to the driver or passenger of the motorcycle you will immediately be arrested, drivers license revoked, taken to jail (for at least a book and release), and charged with negligent homicide? I think car drivers would start being real sensitive to those choosing to ride a motorcycle when encountering them on the road.
So, contemplate my paradigm and think about moving toward a society of less laws that restrict and reduce our freedoms and enforcing sensible behavior instead. That makes perfect sense to me; and, now that you have read my basic thoughts I sincerely hope it makes sense to you?
MOTORCYCLES ARE EVERYWHERE, SAVE A LIFE, LOOK TWICE!
SJ Kinzey
helmet law rebuttal.pdf - Google Docs
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