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Date:         Wed, 24 Sep 2003 11:13:49 -0700
Reply-To:     Mark Tuovinen <mst@AK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mark Tuovinen <mst@AK.NET>
Subject:      Re: Am stuck in a wheel chair (not a funny post and its not
              friday...)
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Ron Tipton wrote: I know which one I'd choose. However, that is not the choice. A relatively > minor head injury can leave you with recurrent seizures, persistent > migraines, forgetfulness, change of personality etc. You can also end up > with hemiplegia, neuralgia, neuroplegia... > > When post-traumatic symptoms occur, these are far more likely than instant > death. *Now* answer me, which would you prefer? I know my answer - I work > in health care and have seen many motorcyclists walk away from accidents > *because* they were wearing a helmet. > > Also, have you ever seen how much skin will be removed from your body in a > minor slide, say from 15mph? The helmet protects your head against > abrasive damage, your hands will be ripped to shreds. There's more to it > that just impact protection - that's why you would be far wiser to wear > good quality leathers as well. The choice is obviously the individual's. > Some make a wiser choice than others.

Based on my almost half a century of motorcycling experience, I completely agree with the all of the above. That said, I also don't believe in helmet laws for adults (or seatbelt laws either). It is arguable that helmets may cause accidents - you can't hear or see as well when wearing one. My major reason for opposing helmet laws is philosophical. It's not the business of the government to make decisions about me. It's the job of the government to make decisions that an individual cannot make. IE to build highways, hire police, etc. We can't do those things alone, we must work together. We call this working together a government.

I, of course, will not move my bike without wearing a helmet. I also will not drive or ride in any car without being belted in. I also don't jump out of perfectly good airplanes, or sail small boats around the world. The world is full of dangerous things and we each decide what risks we will take for what rewards. I am unwilling to give up this freedom to the government.

This relates to vanagons in that we choose to drive them in spite of the fact that more modern cars have numerous safety devices they lack. Depending on model year, this can include rear shoulder harnesses, air bags in various places, traction control, anti-lock brakes, etc. I would like to see a discussion on adding some of these to a vanagon.

Ron, I agree with your points on the benefits of protective gear, and the right to have freemdom of choice for adults regarding helmets, seatbelts, etc. Now if we could set it up so that those that chose not to wear them do not have the rest of us paying for their choice through higher insurance rates.

Mark in AK


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