It's time for a helmet law in Illinois
Jeff Mason
Issue date: 6/4/08 Section: Opinion
I've picked up a new habit over the last few weeks: watching sports. I've watched basketball, baseball and even the end of last night's triple overtime game in hockey's Stanley Cup finals.
So naturally, I've seen a lot of ads lately. There are the standard beer commercials, the endless McDonald's commercials hyping their chicken sandwich like it's the holy grail of food and a handful of commercials telling me to "click it, or ticket." It's nice to know the state wants me to be safe.
But apparently not motorcyclists. Illinois is one of only four states that currently have no helmet laws for motorcyclists, along with New Hampshire, Iowa and Colorado, according to bikersrights.com.
The Web site goes on to say that helmets actually increase the ratio of deaths from head injury per accident and even cause neck injury. They also point out that helmets, when in a head-on impact at speeds over 15 mph, are not a reliable safety measure.
So why have the law? Because, as the Web site fully admits, the total amount of deaths per year is down. The site blames helmet laws for reducing riding, but offer no evidence except that in California 40 percent fewer bikes are registered today than in 1992 when the state's helmet law was enacted. I also heard that having more police officers in a city causes more crime.
A lot has changed in 16 years: culturally, socially and so on. Motorcycling could be down because it's no longer as cool as it used to be or because people traded in their bike for a cozy SUV. For all we know biking could go in cycles like fashion or trends, and not because of helmet laws.
I have no harsh feelings against bikers. From what I've heard, most motorcyclists are some of the nicest people on the road, so why not keep them safe and make them wear a helmet? It won't save them all, but any measure to keep them safe is worth it.
So naturally, I've seen a lot of ads lately. There are the standard beer commercials, the endless McDonald's commercials hyping their chicken sandwich like it's the holy grail of food and a handful of commercials telling me to "click it, or ticket." It's nice to know the state wants me to be safe.
But apparently not motorcyclists. Illinois is one of only four states that currently have no helmet laws for motorcyclists, along with New Hampshire, Iowa and Colorado, according to bikersrights.com.
The Web site goes on to say that helmets actually increase the ratio of deaths from head injury per accident and even cause neck injury. They also point out that helmets, when in a head-on impact at speeds over 15 mph, are not a reliable safety measure.
So why have the law? Because, as the Web site fully admits, the total amount of deaths per year is down. The site blames helmet laws for reducing riding, but offer no evidence except that in California 40 percent fewer bikes are registered today than in 1992 when the state's helmet law was enacted. I also heard that having more police officers in a city causes more crime.
A lot has changed in 16 years: culturally, socially and so on. Motorcycling could be down because it's no longer as cool as it used to be or because people traded in their bike for a cozy SUV. For all we know biking could go in cycles like fashion or trends, and not because of helmet laws.
I have no harsh feelings against bikers. From what I've heard, most motorcyclists are some of the nicest people on the road, so why not keep them safe and make them wear a helmet? It won't save them all, but any measure to keep them safe is worth it.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 37
Stewie
stewie
posted 6/04/08 @ 11:57 AM CST
Why do we need another law to protect the people from themselves? You can hurt no one but yourself if you do not wear a helmet. I ride motorcycles regularly and wear a helmet every time because that is my choice. (Continued…)
Adam H
posted 6/04/08 @ 1:38 PM CST
And let's make SUVs or Humvees or Mack trucks mandatory for all automobile operators! We need the government to make sure they are all safe on our roadways!
And reduce the speed limit to 25 mph and throw any and all violators in jail for a long, long time!
Please government tell me what is best for me and then make me do it, or else!
Ryan
posted 6/04/08 @ 10:31 PM CST
Your point, while valid, is entirely uninformed. Check your references again, and while you're at it, check theirs'. You might consider calling the Illinois Rider Safety program (http://www. (Continued…)
James
posted 6/05/08 @ 12:03 PM CST
I AM A FORMER MOTORCYCLE RIDER! PLEASE LISTEN TO MY ADVICE. AT FIRST EVEYONE DISAGREES WITH ME ON THIS, BUT HEAR ME OUT.
I BELIEVE IT IS MORE DANGEROUS TO A RIDER TO WEAR A HELMET. (Continued…)
Paul Truax
posted 6/06/08 @ 10:32 AM CST
I got my first motorcycle 31 years ago. Helmets are permission to ride dangerously. I'm safer without cars on the road. Please oh please get to $10 gas. (Continued…)
Chris
posted 6/06/08 @ 2:09 PM CST
First off, you do a very poor job supporting your point... you actually go and contradict it at one point.
All that aside, Stewie beat me to the punch. (Continued…)
Adam H
posted 6/08/08 @ 12:43 PM CST
The argument that the decision only affects the motorcyclist is not entirely true. More severe injuries mean more expensive medical procedures and since the government has its hand in health care those extra costs are being paid for my you and me, the taxpayer. (Continued…)
Rose
posted 7/02/08 @ 1:33 PM CST
I can NOT support mandatory helmet laws just because you are afraid to hurt a rider in YOUR pocket book. You can still hurt someone through your inattentiveness and neglect so you pick on "helmets". (Continued…)
Justin
posted 7/07/08 @ 2:55 AM CST
All encompassing helmet laws are total B.S. and there is no other way of putting it. These laws are created by people who do not ride, who think a helmet will solve all biking problems. (Continued…)
Shale Rosenquist
posted 7/08/08 @ 12:04 PM CST
Well it is good that they want us to wear are seatbelts and they inforce it well(a little to well) but when motorcycleists don't have to wear a helmet then why should we wear a seatbelt. (Continued…)
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