[wplug] OT: Risk management (helmet laws)

chris teodorski chris at teodorski.com
Tue Jun 13 10:39:02 EDT 2006


Shane Liesegang wrote:
> Out here in California, it's legal for motorcyclists to drive between
> lanes on the freeways. It's a good way to scoot through traffic when
> it's stopped, I suppose, but it seems like a terribly unnecessary risk
> -- there have been plenty of times where I've been about to change
> lanes, but had a motorcycle zoom by me at the last second out of
> nowhere. If I was a little less cautious in checking my mirrors, it
> could have been disastrous.
>
> In this case, California's helmet law is quite strict, but then we go
> and let them do things that just make it that much more dangerous.
>
>     - SJML
>
> Poyner, Brandon wrote:
>> I won't refute your point that people in cars need to pay more attention
>> and use better judgment.  But I've also seen motorcyclists using just as
>> bad judgment.  The most blatant bad judgment I can recall was a
>> motorcyclist doing a wheelie on the interstate at 65mph+ while
>> tailgating a car in rush hour traffic.  How exactly is that motorcyclist
>> going to steer or stop if conditions change just a little?  Yes, the guy
>> was a complete bonehead, but that kind of dare devil attitude of a small
>> percentage of motorcyclists can make the whole community look bad.  It's
>> in the motorcycling community's best interest to convince these people
>> not to needlessly endanger themselves and others on public roads.
>>
>> $.02
>>
>> Brandon Poyner
>> Network Engineer III
>> CCAC - College Office
>> 412-237-3086
>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: wplug-bounces+bpoyner=ccac.edu at wplug.org
>>> [mailto:wplug-bounces+bpoyner=ccac.edu at wplug.org] On Behalf Of
>>> O'Connor, Michael P.
>>> Sent: Tuesday, June 13, 2006 9:23 AM
>>> To: billings at negate.org; General user list
>>> Subject: RE: [wplug] OT: Risk management (helmet laws)
>>>
>>> Well Billings some good may yet come of this (boy am I going to get
>>> flamed)  But it is possible that after this drivers of cars might be
>>> aware of bikers.  In the past I have noticed that car drivers are to
>>> busy eating, reading news papers, watching TV what ever to car about
>>> who
>>> else is on the road, but today (the day after the accident) was a much
>>> more pleasant ride in, I had no close calls the drivers seemed to have
>>> seen me today, I think it is because they are still thinking about the
>>> accident of yesterday, I just hope this will leave a lasting impression
>>> and not be over in one day.
>>>
>>> Michael P. O'Connor
>>> US&S Office: 412-688-2491 Cell: 412-498-0667
>>> mpoconnor at switch.com
>>
>
I would encourage everyone to read the results of the most comprehensive
motorcycle accident study to date funded by the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration in 1981.  It is known as the Hurt report (a rather
unfortunate name, but the investigator was Hugh Hurt).  They studied
over 900 motorcycle accidents, interviewed 2310 motorcyclists and
studied 3600 police accident reports.  One of the main purposes of the
study was to find out the effectiveness of protective gear.  It will
provide you with excellent statistical evidence to support the use of
helmets and to encourage any budding motorcyclists to take the
Motorcycle Safety Foundation course.









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