Topic: Nebraska lawmakers debate helmet law

[westondc]

i work at the Nebraska State Capitol and obviously i ride a motorcycle so I've been following this rather closely. Once again our state senators are debating a bill that would repeal Nebraska's law that motorcyclists wear helmets. i asked some of my coworkers today and we were kind of split on the issue. just wondering what some SOHC4 members thought about it. http://www.klkntv.com/Global/story.asp?S=11921578&nav=menu96_2

[westondc]

oh and i just noticed this, all states surrounding Nebraska only require riders ages 17 and younger to wear helmets.
http://www.iihs.org/laws/HelmetUseCurrent.aspx

[mark]

riding without a helmet should be a matter of personal choice.

the helmetless rider with a smashed melon should be treated as having a do-not-resuscitate order and a valid donor card.

[shacolaid]

PA had a helmet law until a few years ago when Fast Eddie Rendell became governor and repealed the law. I understand the whole freedom thing and it's your choice and all, but I have never ridden without one and do not ever plan on changing that. Too many accidents occur where the helmet could have saved the victim from death or even being in a vegetative state. We pay enough for health insurance as it is. I do not believe I should have to pay for someone's health insurance that chose not to wear a helmet. The same can be said for seat belts.

[mgbgt89]

I don't think helmets should be mandatory. I have ridden probably a grand total of 5 miles without a helmet. I don't like riding without one. Some people do like riding without them though, and government shouldn't get in the way of darwin, IMO.

[Markcb750]

the helmetless rider with a smashed melon should be treated as having a do-not-resuscitate order and a valid donor card.

Yeah

[Freaky1]

Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't, but I am willing to accept the results of my actions.

[Deceptibong]

Im all for the right to choose.  I had no idea this was up for discussion.  Definitely  relevant to my interests.

[westondc]

i might have been last year or the year before when this helmet debate came up while i was working at the capitol. it caused a bit of a stir. the day they put it to a vote a large number of Harley riders showed up in their chaps, fringed leather and bandannas... stereotypical look ya know. they were walking around carrying signs supporting the amendment to drop the helmet law. well after the vote failed they were all #$%*ing and moaning. i hoping this time other riders will showup and set a better example. what do you think Deceptibong, meet you there?

[CycleRanger]

riding without a helmet should be a matter of personal choice.

Right, I agree but then why do I have to wear a seat belt in my car?

Shouldn't that be a personal choice too?


(btw, I personally choose to wear a helmet.)

[Duke McDukiedook]

Now, now, when the FED tells you to do something you better DAMN well do it, buster.

I guess they don't feel like pulling highway $$$ for this cause. 

[paulages]

i think you're an idiot for not doing so, but #$%* be damned if the law should tell me how to protect my noggin. 

[paulages]

riding without a helmet should be a matter of personal choice.

Right, I agree but then why do I have to wear a seat belt in my car?

Shouldn't that be a personal choice too?

yes, it should. if idiots want to kill themselves, they should have that right. idiots shouldn't be allowed to kill their children, i suppose. though they might be doing us a favor.

[Deceptibong]

meet you there?

sure man, Id meet ya there...just as long as we can go down to the old pub and have a beer afterwords

[Gordon]

riding without a helmet should be a matter of personal choice.

Right, I agree but then why do I have to wear a seat belt in my car?

Shouldn't that be a personal choice too?

This point gets brought up in almost every helmet law discussion, but it's not a perfect analogy.  In the event of a wreck in a car, the seatbelt keeps the driver in the driver's seat behind the wheel and in front of the brake pedal, allowing the driver to both steer and stop the car to keep it from continuing on into other cars, people, buildings, etc, if he's able to.  That reason alone is why I support the seatbelt law. 

I don't support making motorcycle helmets mandatory, but I do always wear mine even though it's not required in my state.   

[kirkn]

I voted for Freedom, but only because I think it's not the role of government.  That said, I'm like the one above - I've probably ridden a grand total of about 1 mile without a helmet in my 38 years of riding.  But, I DO care about the result...

[bucky katt]

well, for a change my vote on something like this was in the minority. go helmetless, i dont give a hairy rats ass, just make sure you have plenty of insurance coverage.

[strynboen]

is there a law for brakse and lights,,but not for helmets ,,,like to see road racing in your state,,,or motor cross..or on high vay on a busa..this things are not in diskosion in europa..ve have helmets in 40 years..internet are great,,to see all the difirens priority world over,,,dont say ve are right in europa but ve lives longer..

[westondc]

update: Nebraska motorcycle helmet repeal on hold


http://www.journalstar.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_2fb3f952-1102-11df-8ae0-001cc4c002e0.html

[Deceptibong]

Omaha Sen. Tom White suggested the special insurance requirements apply only to people who want to ride without helmets. Police could stop helmetless riders to check their insurance status.

I dont like this suggestion one bit...so even if it were legal, you would still get pulled over for it.  why do they have to make this so hard.

/shakes head

[westondc]

yeah i don't understand why they have to add the insurance clause. if there going to amend the helmet law then why doesn't the state just go along with the same rules that Iowa, South Dakota, and Colorado have?

Here some interesting facts that I pulled from National Highway Safety website

Motorcyclist Fatalities  

NEBRASKA          2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Helmeted            15     12    13    11     16
Unhelmeted          4      3      4     4       3

IOWA                2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Helmeted            10     16     8      8      8
Unhelmeted         26     29    49     53    45

SOUTH DAKOTA  2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Helmeted             8      9     5      6      4
Unhelmeted         17     12   17     23    11

COLORADO         2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Helmeted            19      4    13     33    30
Unhelmeted         62     83    61    57     68

[TwoTired]

Does your Gubmnt collect sales tax on Helmets?
Do they not collect income tax from those that sell helmets?
How about the manufacture, transportation, and storage of helmets?  Think there aren't taxes and fee profits there, too?  (fuel, truck licensing, weight fees, business licensing, etc.)

It a win-win for politicians.
Helps fill the General fund coffers.  Only the small minority objects.  Exerts "control" philosophy onto the general public. ("We know better than you what is best for you!  And, you must accept/comply with this.")

And, so easy to put feel good spin into the public airways/media, as it's the appearance of doing something positive for public safety.  A large part of the population does not ride motorcycles/ doesn't care.  Or worse, feel that motorcyclists should be punished for their "outlaw" facade, by just having those loud, noisy, dangerous things in their neighborhood, promoting unrest.  Make 'em pay and be uncomfortable or upset!  Serves them right!

Then there is also the "please your lobby group and campaign contributors" aspect.  Such as the insurance lobby, even if it only "appears" to lower insurance company expenditure.

I do wear a Helmet.  Didn't always.  Doing without comes in handy to hear the machine for maintenance/diagnosis.  A practice made illegal by a bureaucrat.
 It should be my choice to wear what is necessary from me.

When will airbags for bikes be mandatory?  When will complete protective exoskeleton gear for motorcyclists be required? (To save ignorant John Doe of paying increased insurance costs?)
When will motorcycles be banned completely for reasons of public safety?  (There is more money to be made in 4 wheel personal transportation sales/distribution to public than 2 wheel.  Would you rather collect 5-10% of $5000, or $30,000?)

Think creeping regulation isn't happening?  Here's only a couple of examples:
Use to be, it was my choice to operate a motorcycle headlight in daylight hours.  Not anymore.
Use to be, it was my choice to operate an auto headlight while raining in daylight.  Not anymore.

[Deceptibong]

Does your Gubmnt collect sales tax on Helmets?
Do they not collect income tax from those that sell helmets?
How about the manufacture, transportation, and storage of helmets?  Think there aren't taxes and fee profits there, too?  (fuel, truck licensing, weight fees, business licensing, etc.)

It a win-win for politicians.
Helps fill the General fund coffers.  Only the small minority objects.  Exerts "control" philosophy onto the general public. ("We know better than you what is best for you!  And, you must accept/comply with this.")

And, so easy to put feel good spin into the public airways/media, as it's the appearance of doing something positive for public safety.  A large part of the population does not ride motorcycles/ doesn't care.  Or worse, feel that motorcyclists should be punished for their "outlaw" facade, by just having those loud, noisy, dangerous things in their neighborhood, promoting unrest.  Make 'em pay and be uncomfortable or upset!  Serves them right!

Then there is also the "please your lobby group and campaign contributors" aspect.  Such as the insurance lobby, even if it only "appears" to lower insurance company expenditure.

I do wear a Helmet.  Didn't always.  Doing without comes in handy to hear the machine for maintenance/diagnosis.  A practice made illegal by a bureaucrat.
 It should be my choice to wear what is necessary from me.

When will airbags for bikes be mandatory?  When will complete protective exoskeleton gear for motorcyclists be required? (To save ignorant John Doe of paying increased insurance costs?)
When will motorcycles be banned completely for reasons of public safety?  (There is more money to be made in 4 wheel personal transportation sales/distribution to public than 2 wheel.  Would you rather collect 5-10% of $5000, or $30,000?)

Think creeping regulation isn't happening?  Here's only a couple of examples:
Use to be, it was my choice to operate a motorcycle headlight in daylight hours.  Not anymore.
Use to be, it was my choice to operate an auto headlight while raining in daylight.  Not anymore.

Very good post..you are saying all the things i can never put into words...esp. the experts control philosophy part! well put!

[Frankenkit]

I don't care if a man or woman goes out and kills themselves or leaves themselves in a vegetative state... well, I care, but if they're going to fight for the "freedom" to do so, then whatever.  It's when momma or daddy is the family's breadwinner and goes out, gets veggified and that long term insurance doesn't cover the huge amount of lost income to pay bills, take care of kids, etc etc.  It's not the parents or taxpayers that lose out major, then, it's their kids.  Not that anyone can legislate common sense (though we sure try, don't we?) but if it could be an 'optional' thing legally but riding clubs still strongly encourage helmet use, that would be the best of all worlds, I think.

[Frankenkit]

yeah i don't understand why they have to add the insurance clause. if there going to amend the helmet law then why doesn't the state just go along with the same rules that Iowa, South Dakota, and Colorado have?

Here some interesting facts that I pulled from National Highway Safety website

Motorcyclist Fatalities  

NEBRASKA          2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Helmeted            15     12    13    11     16
Unhelmeted          4      3      4     4       3

IOWA                2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Helmeted            10     16     8      8      8
Unhelmeted         26     29    49     53    45

SOUTH DAKOTA  2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Helmeted             8      9     5      6      4
Unhelmeted         17     12   17     23    11

COLORADO         2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Helmeted            19      4    13     33    30
Unhelmeted         62     83    61    57     68

So.... Nebraska is the only state where helmets don't save lives?  WTF kind of helmets are people wearing? Are they counting "novelty" helmets as helmets here?  I guess the other possibility is that the helmet-wearing majority are squids on sport bikes, getting themselves killed in squidly ways.