There is not a more hotly debated issue in motorcycling than helmet laws. Motorcyclists often argue vehemently that the decision whether or not to wear a helmet is completely a matter of individual choice. On the other hand, state and federal governments consistently argue that safety trumps individual choice. There is, however, a huge third party that this issue impacts – the American taxpayers.
Simply put, uninsured or underinsured motorcyclists who suffer serious head injuries in a crash are going to be treated in an emergency room. The dollar amount that is not covered by the rider and his or her insurance must be absorbed by the taxpayers.
So what is the cost to taxpayers? Since we just completed another Daytona Bike Week, let’s first take a look at some Florida statistics. In 2009, taxpayer-supported emergency services and trauma centers had to absorb $190 million in treatment costs from motorcycle crashes that were not covered by insurance. Obviously, not all of that cost was directly related to not wearing helmets; however, head injuries are among the most costly to treat.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) estimates that the yearly taxpayer cost for injuries directly attributed to non-helmet wearing motorcyclists is over $900 million. So nation-wide, the annual cost to taxpayers approaches $1 billion.
So here is the question posed to our AAB readers: When you include that massive third party, the American taxpayers (of which we are all a part), is wearing a helmet still a matter of individual choice?
Comments
So, unless there is a system in place that can assure that "bare skulls" riders with head injures will pay for their own treatment, the logic of wearing helmets should prevail. Which is another way of saying, don´t ask me to pay for your stupidities.
By the way, the hot discussion about helmet laws is mainly US focused. Most riders elsewhere don´t argue with science and statistics and just go about their business riding with good helmets. Rather, they focus their energy in more important topics like line splitting, free access to toll highways, etc.
Let´s be practical, there are only so many battles to fight effectively against the Government. Would you rather stand on line burning you bold head - with a bandanna off course - or quickly move between the cars with a small DOT approved helmet?
Wake up American riders and be smart about your fights!!! +
Do people remember the out cry when mandatory seat belts came into effect? What if the government decides that the number of head injuries in vehicles warrent wearing a helmet. The screams would be heard from corner to corner of the US.
We just want to regain the personal freedoms that is guaranteed to us by the Constitution & the Declaration of Independence.
Yes I know people are concerned about the $ in regards to motorcycle accidents - but does anybody look at the $ involved in vehicle accidents? Something to ponder.
Riding without a helmet is IMO stupid, but stupid is not against the law in most cases. Stupid DOES however have financial consequenses.
Motorist have to ear safty belts in cars, riding is no different. Operating a moto on a public road is not a right, rather a privelidge.
There has been no assessment ever of the private cost or public cost of injuries caused by lack of a DOT helmet. Every time I have sued a helmet manufacturer for a defective helmet the first defense put up by an manufacturer is that the helmet could not have prevented the injury. Our local medical examiner has testified that no helmet can prevent that brain from sloshing around inside the skull.
The entire debate is political with the motorcycling community being placed in the middle as scapegoats
Not wearing a helmet - closed casket
I have the life insurance to cover both.
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