Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Costs of biker ?freedom?


Maybe the breast-beating bravado of Idaho politicians who insist motorcyclists should continue riding without helmets and enjoy "freedom" from government rules should be tested.

If bikers want freedom from nanny government helmet requirements, then shouldn't they be free to pay the costs of their injuries—or deaths—and not expect government emergency services to carry the burden?

Perhaps bikers would sign a legally binding waiver when they obtain licenses and bike plates, releasing any and all law enforcement agencies and emergency medical services and hospitals from providing care without payment.

A 2004 effort in the Idaho Legislature to impose a mandatory helmet law, but defeated in the House Transportation Committee, was aimed precisely at that—costs of special health and emergency care of motorcyclists killed or injured in accidents.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has tracked biker accidents for years, and found disproportionate death, injury and medical costs involving motorcyclists not wearing helmets.

In a 2003 study, deaths per mile traveled were 32 times greater among bikers than auto drivers, with the leading cause of death due to unhelmeted riders.

A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 2000 study after Florida weakened its helmet law found that head, brain and skull injuries soared 82 percent in 30 months, averaging $40,000 per injury for medical treatment.

Helmet laws save lives. And, they spare taxpayers welfare for devil-may-care "freedom" with dangerous results.




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