Speak Out: A Helmet Law is Necessary
State remains without a helmet law, but should it have one?
Is it time for South Carolina to enact a helmet law for motorcyclists?
A S.C. Department of Public Safety spokeswoman sent a message to media outlets Thursday following the death of a Lowcountry motorcyclist, urging attention to "noticeable numbers" in motorcycle deaths.
All four motorcycle deaths this month have occurred in the Lowcountry and none were wearing helmets. Allen James, 62, of Charleston was traveling northbound on 17-A Wednesday when he wrecked without his helmet.
The state has a seatbelt law, and also asks pedestrians to wear visible clothing when walking at night. Late last year, charges were threatened against a man, attired in dark clothing and riding a dark-colored horse, due to a horse v. car wreck in Summerville. However, every time a helmet law is brought up at the state level, it has failed to become law.
Is it time for South Carolina to enact a helmet law for motorcyclists? Tell us in the comments!
Lindsay Street
1:11 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
I posted this on Facebook and will put it here:
I think most readers know I'm an equestrian. I always wear my helmet riding horses — even with the safest horse in the world. Why? Well, in a way it prevents me from falling off because it reminds me that the activity I'm about to engage in is dangerous, making me more aware. And if I do come off (happens a few times a year), I've protected my head at the very least. I also wear a protective vest out cross country.
I don't know if a helmet law is necessary or not, but I've never understood why people wouldn't choose wear a helmet. I value my brain too much to be prideful of how I might look in a helmet!
It's like a seatbelt: a good precaution that could save your life or prevent life-altering damage. Sure, it may not prevent every death in every situation, but it's still good practice.
And as an aside, not wearing your helmet or seatbelt doesn't just affect you. It affects your family, friends and the EMS workers/Coroner's Office who have to deal with another smashed head or ejected body.
Mike
1:20 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
Allen James would not want this subject brought up under his name. He fought for freedom in the military and lived his life in freedom. Let him rest in Peace.
PS a helmet would have not saved him from the vehicle running over him.
Karen a biker chic
2:49 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
I am not saying I am for or against helmets or seat belts but I do not believe that neither seat belts or helmets are a complete answer. Just because you might use these does not mean you will not die in the event of an accident...I do agree we need to be smart but I also think that when God says it is your time to go, no seat belt or helmet is going to prevent that. I am a biker chic and I love to ride. I am more worried about the other drivers out there that pay no attention to those of us on bikes or they don't care. I think there needs to be more awareness made to motorcycles, semi's, bicycles and walkers. We are all suppose to live on this earth together and when I am in my truck I have to watch that I don't hit someone else no matter how they are traveling, and there are times that I am so tired of getting stuck behind people that are on our roads and should not be driving at all.....there are too many of them but they get away w/ it. They are just as dangerous....
A Freerider
2:50 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
Helmets should remain a choice...not mandated by the state. We don't many freedoms left.....!
Karen a biker chic
2:52 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
To A Freerider, I so agree
maizenbluedoc
6:13 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
As a medical professional who has seen the damage done to a human head after contact with immovable objects, you are free to cause your demise if you like.
Colnzgprnts
10:44 am on Saturday, January 19, 2013
Freerider, your comment is so appropriate at a time when government is making all our decisions - elitists think they have a reponsibility to tell us what foods we should eat, whether we should be able to have a gun to protect our families, whether we should be able to put a sign in front of our business and down to the most mundane things.
In this environment of the 'nanny state' we are giving up the precious freedoms that have made our country the envy of the world and we are putting on the chains that oppresed people have worn through the centuries - how unfortunte!
Harry Fleck
5:04 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
A helmet will not save you a high-speed impact. It can save you if you go down in your head starts bouncing on the pavement. I dropped my bike and hit my head on the pavement I was wearing a helmet and I would be 78 if I hadn't done it hadn't been wearing one
Stephen
9:28 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
The government is not your daddy! Sure, you should wear a helmet. Sure, you should wear a seat-belt. But that doesn't mean the government should be able to force you to. Laws are supposed to protect us from each other, not from ourselves!
SDR
10:05 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
The same folks that dont wear helmets are the same people that want the best healthcare after an accident, on your dime.
JoSCh
1:35 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2013
Helmets should be a choice made by the individual, but their motorcycle insurance should cover any medical bills incurred while on motorcycles, pay for any disability or loss of work, long term care, etc that their other insurances don't. No SS for people that choose dangerous hobbies. Let the insurance company decide how much it costs to ride without a helmet.
Curious how many pro choice advocates would support this.
Tom Utley
8:31 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2013
Yep, and thanks to government regulations, health insurance companies can not sell a policy that does not include health coverage of injuries due to motorcycle accident. Even before Obamacare, the health insurance industry has been hamstrung and really destroyed by government regulation. I'd love to buy a health plan that doesn't include people who own motorcylces, people who hang glide, bungee jump, rock climb, or basically any other "extreme" sport. I'm sure it would be pretty cheap.
Tom Musolf
10:49 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2013
Simple "YES" or "NO" question ! Why the drama? Either like it or don't.
Lisa Fox
10:26 am on Sunday, January 20, 2013
Yes South Carolina Should have a helmet law for motor cycles and mopeds. While we are there, there should be a helmet for bikes for kids under 14 as well. Brain injuries can result in instant death or life long disability.
OSURN
3:31 pm on Sunday, January 20, 2013
Let people make their own choices. Also, we need the organ donors. SC has one of the shortest wait lists for donors, mostly because of the no helmet law. We can't protect people who want to take such risks. At least we have others who will benefit. Harsh but true.
Lisa Fox
5:21 pm on Sunday, January 20, 2013
Osurn that is one way of looking at it.