From: behanna@phoenix.syl.nj.nec.com (Chris BeHanna)
Subject: Argument Ammo
Followup-To: rec.motorcycles
Organization: NEC Systems Laboratory, Inc.
Date: Wed, 16 Sep 92 03:50:37 GMT

	The next time you get into an argument with some bleeding-heart
do-gooder weenie about helmet laws, refer to this to shut him or her down:


                        "Brief Helmet-Related Facts"

                  by Bill Bish, Bikers Against Manslaughter

        We've said this over and over and we'll say it again:  Rider training
reduces accidents; therefore, train riders instead of making everybody wear
helmets.

        The latest support for training comes from the California Highway
Patrol's "Annual Report to the Legislature" for 1990.  In 1987, California
instituted a California Motorcyclist Safety Program that concentrated on rider
training.  Since 1987, accidents per 100 licensed motorcycle riders have
fallen from 3.8 in 1986 to 2.5 in 1989--close to 25%.

        Even better, accidents involving riders under the age of 18 fell from
around 3,000 in 1985 to just over 1,000 in 1989--an almost 60% drop.

        Note the key word here:  licensed.  If every rider must go through
training to get a license, the the fact that unlicensed riders smash up a lot
should not be given as a reason to put helmets on everybody.  If we want to
help people, we should proved training programs--then let them ride free.


Helmet Law Facts


"In the 10 years, 1978 to 1988, motorcycle fatalities per 10,000 motorcycles
registered declined 15%.  Based on vehicle miles traveled, the rate declined
an astonishing 37% from 1980 to 1986.  Motorcycling, while having had a
disproportionate fatality rate ompared to other road users, now has a rate
declining more rapidly than any other group."

                              Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), 1990

Of the top 12 states with the best motorcycle safety records (fatalities per
10,000 registrations), only one has a helmet law.  On the other hand, fully
half of the dozen states with the worst safety records are helmet law states.

                              MSF and Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) data,
                              1986

Relative to the number of registered motorcycles, states with mandatory helmet
laws had 13.2% more accidents and 1.9% more fatalities than free-choice states
for the 13-year period of 1977-89.  "There is no significant difference in the
fatality rates of states requiring or not requiring the wearing of a motorcycle
helmet."

                              Accident and Fatality Statistics analyzed by
                              Dr. A.R. Mackenzie, M.D.

A State of Kansas health and Environment Department report to the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stated, "...we have found no
evidence that the death rate for motorcycle accidents has increased in Kansas
as a result of the repeal of the helmet law.  We have also not found any such
evidence on a national basis."

                              Fatal Accident Reporting System, NHTSA

29.4% of the motorcyclists who died wearing a helmet died of a head injury.
28.9% of the motorcyclists who died without a helmet died of a head injury.

                              Wisconsin Department of Transportation 1978
                              Division of Motor Vehicles Study

The national average of motorcycle fatalities per 100 accidents is 2.95.
However,  states with rider education and no helmet law show the lowest average
of only 2.56 deaths, while states with helmet laws but no training have a
significantly higher rate of 3.09.

                              From a 1988 American Motorcyclist Association
                              report

DOT tests helmets by a 6-foot vertical drop, impacting at 13.66 mph.  Even at
these low impacts, 52% of the helmets tested by DOT since 1974 have failed...
and only ONE helmet has passed since 1984.

                              DOT Helmet Test Reports, 1974-1990

"Warning:  No protective headgear can protect the wearer against all
foreseeable impacts.  This helmet is not designed to provide neck or lower head
protection.  This helmet exceeds Federal Standard FMVSS218:  Even so, death or
severe injury may result from impacts at speeds as low as 15 mph while wearing
a helmet."

                              Label inside a new helmet, 1990

According to _Bell Helmets Dealers Guide (1986)_:  "...an incorrectly fitted
helmet can do more damage than no helmet at all...and people will usually buy
a helmet that fits too loose as it is more comfortable."

The American College of Surgeons decleared in 1980 that improper helmet
removal from injured persons may cause paralysis.

In contrast to previous findings, it is concluded that:  Motorcycle helmets
have no statistically significant effect on probability of fatality, and past
a critical impact speed, helmts increase the severity of neck injuries.

                              Dr. Jonathan Goldstein, Bowdoin College

When applying the law of inertia, the weight of an object becomes awesome.  A
4-pound helmet at 50 mph becomes 200 pounds upon impact.

                              (Newton's Law of Motion)

With the weight factor considered, after a matter of time the helmet can cause
discomfort or fatigue...and fatigue is a leading cause of motor vehicle
accidents.

                              Bikers Against Manslaughter (BAM)

Automobile accidents account for 45.5% of head injured patients and are
responsible for 37.1% of all fatalities involving head injury.

                              _The Journal of Trauma_, 1989

Motorcycles comprise 2.5% of U.S. vehicles, yet are involved in only 1.1% of
the accidents.

                              National Safety Council "Accident Facts," 1989

Motorcycle accidents make up only 1/10 of 1% of all medical expenses.

                              MIC and NHTSA data, 1984

72% of U.S. motorcyclists already wear a helmet, either by choice or by
existing state laws, while automobile drivers use seat belts only 47% of the
time.  Even with seat belt laws in effect in 36 states, covering 80% of the
population, more than half of all automobile fatalities involve head injury.

                              Usage data ccompiled by BAM and the University
                              of North Carolina

"In my view, Mr. President, these compulsory helmet laws, which are forced
upon the several states, are a violation of our constitutional liberties...
The widespread opposition to these laws is further indicated by the fact that
there were 43 separate court challenges to state and municipal headgear
legislation by January 1, 1970.  In 31 instances, such legislation was upheld;
but in 12 it was declared unconstitutional--by one State supreme court--
Illinois; by three appellate courts--Idaho, Arizona, Michigan; and eight trial
courts--Colorado, and Michigan.  In addition, the attorney general of Oklahoma
has issued an opinion that the state's compulsory headgear law is
unconstitutional, and the attorney general of New Mexico has determined that a
proposed city ordinance would be invalid if it applied to citizens over 18
years of age."

                              From _The Congressional Record_, Sept. 4, 1975.
                              Statement of Senator Jesse Helms of North
                              Carolina

Education, not legislation, is the key to safer motorcycling.  Not everyone
has the ability to ride a motorcycle, and certainly not without proper
training.  All the safety equipment in the world cannot protect the inept,
unskilled rider.

                              ABATE of California

Wearing a helmet can induce a false sense of security, leading to excessive
risk-taking and dangerous riding habits.

                              Dr. John G.U. Adams, University College, London

The rate of head injuries to non-helmeted riders (24.9% of total fatal and
non-fatal injuries by body location) is less than the rate of head injuries for
unrestrained auto drivers (39.6%).  Moreover, in terms of sheer numbers there
are nearly 100 times more auto fatalities attributed to head injuries than for
motorcyclists.

                              Injury and fatality data compiled by ABATE of
                              Illinois and BAM

"The automobile driver is at fault in more than 70% of all car/motorcycle
conflicts."

                              Second International Congress on Automobile
                              Safety

45.5% of the motorcyclists involved in accidents had no motorcycle license;
92% had no formal training and more than half had less than six months
experience.  62% of the acccidents and 50% of the fatalities involved riders
between the ages of 17-26.

                              Hurt Report, Traffic Safety Center of University
                              of Southern California

A helmet cannot prevent an accident.

                              BAM "Helmet Facts," 1991

A series of scientific studies by D.R. Fisher concluded:  helmets increase the
temperature of the wearer's head more than three times as much as a wool cap
and trap two-thirds of the head's heat without allowing it to dissipate;
helmets reduce side vision an average of 41 degrees; representing a 16%
impairment to the normal field of vision; sound attenuation represents an
impairment in the ability of the rider to perceive or discriminate warning or
other useful sounds that will decrease the risk of being involved in an
accident.

                              D.R. Fisher, Engineer

"...when forced to do so, riders would buy the cheapest headgear available, all
the while resenting the imposition.  With helmet use voluntary, many riders'
attitudes would begin to change, and they would take pride and care in helmet
ownership."

                              _Motorcycle Product News_

Reflecting the economic impact of helmet laws, new motorcycle sales dropped
40% in Nebraska and 35% in Oregon in 1989, the year following their helmet
laws.

                              _Motorcycle Dealer News_ and R.L. Polk, 1990


Chronology of Helmet Laws


1966 - The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) threatens to withhold
millions of dollars in highway funds from states failing to enact mandatory
helmet laws.  Every state except California eventually complied.

1966 - Georgia adopts the nation's first helmet law.  Later, the U.S.
Department of Transportation (DOT) threatens to withhold millions of dollars
in highway funds from states failing to enact mandatory helmet laws.  By 1969,
41 states comply with the federal mandate.

1969 - The state of Illinois repeals its helmet law as unconstitutional.

1975 - Helmet use is required in 47 states, the District of Columbia and
Puerto Rico.  The Secreatary of Transportation begins proceedings against
California, Utah, and Illinois to withhold highway funds due to noncompliance.

1976 - Cnnogress amends the Highway Safety Act, revoking DOT authority to
require states to adopt helmet laws and preventing the Secretary from imposing
fiscal santions.  By 1977, 23 states either partially or totally repeal their
helmet laws.

1982 - Louisiana, which amended its law to under 18 in 1976, becomes the first
state to reinstate a helmet law.

1983 - Wyoming passes an under-18 amendment and becomes the most recent state
to revoke a mandatory helmet law, leaving only 19 states with a helmet
requirement for all riders.

1988 - Helmet laws pass in Oregon (by public referendum) and in Nebraska.

1989 - Texas enacts a mandatory helmet law.

1990 - Washington becomes the fifth state since 1976 to enact a helmet law,
as opposed to 27 states that have repealed the law or amended it to exclude
most adults.

1991 - California passes a mandatory helmet law for riders of all ages.

EDUCATION, not legislation,
-- 
Chris BeHanna	DoD# 114  KotHLF    1983 H-D FXWG Wide Glide (She lives!)
behanna@syl.nj.nec.com	            (I need another bike for this space!)

Disclaimer:  Now why would NEC agree with any of this anyway?
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