PA - New bill could end helmetless driving on motorcycles

[The Straight Story]

Even though he doesn't have to keep his helmet on when he crosses the Mason-Dixon Line into Pennsylvania, Dwayne Gorman does.

As a firefighter, the Pasadena, Md., man has seen firsthand the head traumas motorcyclists suffer in helmetless crashes.

Gorman was at Laugerman's Harley-Davidson in North York Monday to shop for a new helmet. Though he regularly wears one, he said it's the rider's decision if they want to do so.

A bill introduced in the state House could take that choice away from riders.

The legislation, introduced Monday by state Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny County, would restore Pennsylvania's mandatory helmet-use law.


http://www.yorkdispatch.com/news/ci_18128320

[Bunny]

1. NOt wearing a helmet just creates more organ donors for the rest of us.

So, what's not to like? Their body, their choice.

[Drale]

2. Its not their problem, there dead,

its the people who witness the accident and have nightmares about it and its the problem of the workers who have to clean up all brain matter. Helmets save lives, and many people have needlessly died because "helmets are for squares".

[Bunny]

3. Yeah, I know.

[The Straight Story]

5. Just outlaw motorcyles - problem solved

:)

[blondeatlast]

10. Oh, hell no, see response number 1. nt

[Fumesucker]

7. Motorcycles are almost purely for entertainment in the US..

Almost no one uses a motorcycle for serious, everyday transportation.

A law requiring helmets in cars would save a great many more lives since the number of cars on the road is vastly greater than the number of motorcycles.

Notice that in both car and motorcycle racing helmets are required by every sanctioning body I can think of.

[Drale]

9. I know several people who use a motorcycle for everyday transport

Your going to see it more and more with gas prices being so ridiculous as well.

[Fumesucker]

17. I use one myself for that purpose..

One of the reasons I know it's very rare.

How many people do you know who use cars for everyday transport?

A lot of motorcycles don't get any better gas mileage than a small economy car and some can actually be worse on gas, in the USA at least they tend to be vastly overpowered (bigger engine in some bikes than some cars) and their efficiency is not good at all.

[IDemo]

11. I commute by motorcycle anytime it's above 25º and dry

And there are a number of bikes in the parking lot every day. Over the past 30+ years I have commuted to work when I had a bike and weather permitting, and my first bike was my only transportation (including for grocery shopping and laundry :))

This is one of the few states where helmets are still optional, at least for those over 18. I have always worn one regardless of what the law says.

[EnviroBat]

15. My baby never sees a drop of rain if I can avoid it...

[REP]

12. I don't believe SCCA requires them for Road Rally (just Rally)

[REP]

4. I cringe every time I see a rider with a helmet in tennis shoes, no jacket, no armor

I know jackets and armor can be hot as hell - that's why my husband has three or four different jackets with different kinds of armor. A rider hit like I was by that jackass running a red light might have had a chance to survive in armor, boots and a helmet - helmet only or no helmet, no chance at all.

[EnviroBat]

14. Otherwise know as a squid.

Or moron, whichever term comes to mind first...

[dipsydoodle]

6. Been illegal in the UK for donkeys years

to ride a bike without a crash helmet.

Unless - you're Sikh and wear a turban. Strange but true and please don't ask me to explain.

[Bravo Zulu]

8. I wouldn't ride a bicycle without wearing a helmet!

My front wheel got stuck in some ballast rocks and I couldn't get my hands up to cover my head, I'm thinking as I'm going over the handlebars, "I'm glad I got my helmet on!"

[damntexdem]

13. How idiotic of the state to repeal the helmet law in 2003.

Helmetless motorcycle crashes do not just hurt the idiots without helmets. They contribute to higher health costs, higher vehicle insurance rates, economic costs and emotional trauma for family members, and emotional trauma for drivers involved in the crashes.

[blondeatlast]

16. But they do help lower the waiting time on organ transplant waiting lists.

It's a trade off. :shrug:

[thelordofhell]

18. All car drivers should wear their seatbelts

All motorcycle drivers should wear their helmets

[The Straight Story]

20. Shouldn't cycles have seatbelts too??

:rofl:

[thelordofhell]

21. No

[Shagbark Hickory]

19. Good!