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I have to write a position paper for this class I'm taking. I basically have to present two sides of an argument, then argue one side over the other.
Because its a topic that is widely disputed, I chose to write about motorcycle helmet laws. So I need to research both the pros and cons of not only whether or not wearing a helmet is a good idea, but whether or not it should be the law.
I need some reliable sources on the subject, so maybe some of you guys can help me out. They have to be "scholarly" sources that I can cite in my paper, not from Wikipedia or something like that. I don't want this thread to turn into a discussion on wearing helmets, I just want to know the best places to find information related to the topic. Thanks in advance.
06 America 904
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Quote:
I just want to know the best places to find information related to the topic. Thanks in advance.
 Hmmmmmm...this is a toughie here. Now let me think....
WAIT, I've GOT it!
Contact Gary Busey or say Ben Roethlisberger and see what they have to say about the subject!  
(...sorry Scott, I just couldn't resist!!!)  
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Second Wind
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Second Wind
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The arguement against it being law is based in freedom of choice, and at what level the government should make choices for us be it for good or not.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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All kidding aside, your suggestion is right on the mark and IS the crux of this old debate, Chad.  (...and of course my "Gary Busey/Ben Roethlesberger" joke was done in the thought that sometimes or maybe MOST times, a "choice" is better made by those with a little "first-hand experience" under their belts...'cause word is now that BOTH of these gentlemen have become advocates for helmet use after their own "first-hand experiences" with severe head trauma, and now always choose to wear their helmets while riding, even when they're riding in states without helmet laws)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Old Hand
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Old Hand
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I don't know if they still have it, but the Modified Motorcycle Association used to have an interesting chart of verified statistics related to helmet laws.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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I've found some good info and some statistics for the proponents of helmet laws, NHTSA, IIHS. But I also keep finding sites that say the data is biased.
06 America 904
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Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
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You'll find a terrible lack of documentation from emergency rooms which is one basis for the need of a new century Hurt report; I believe the Hurt document is now over 30 years old. This document might be of some use to you: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/medi...k_called_a_myth
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Loquacious
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Police reports and Rehabilitation Hopitals. My wife worked at Brooks Rehab hospital for years and spent her days retraining brain injured M/C riders how to perform simple tasks (eating, bathing, shopping, doing laundry, navigating public transportation, etc.). Pretty basic stuff really, but it was their final chance to improve or be placed into a nursing home.  BTW, most successfully returned to society. Good luck on your paper and here's to hoping your instructor doesn't already have his own agenda!
Last edited by Hermit; 04/04/2013 9:43 AM.
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Adjunct
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06 America 904
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One arguement is that it lowers a riders ability to hear. You may want to see if there is any research on in. Kind if difficult to swallow, considering how the wind affects hearing, when not wearing a helmet.
No matter how Cynical I become, I can never keep up.
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Second Wind
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Second Wind
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Having been converted over to being a helmet wearer. I can assure you that the arguement against helmet laws is not one of risk management, statistics, or safety. Its purely about personal freedoms and at what point does the government step in. As history has shown once they wade in on a mater they never stop going and ya find that they are no longer wading in the pool, but swimming around in the ocean. They never stop interfering. First its helmets then like in Europe its fluro clothing, and one day an air bag suit. Or even the determination that you can not be kept safe on a motorcycle and a street use ban. There are countries in which even if you are on your own property with an atv, snow mobile, trail bike or what have you they can and will fine you for not wearing a helmet. Those countries are used as an example by those who oppose helmet laws to demonstrate how the intrusion never ends.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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Quote:
Or even the determination that you can not be kept safe on a motorcycle and a street use ban.
There ya go! 
Choose YOUR OWN risk/comfort level, and leave the pontificating to Francis! 
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Loquacious
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Link to the debate about compulsory helmets for the UK in 1973. Including Enoch Powell's speech against it (quotes for your paper ) http://www.righttoride.co.uk/2013/02/07/motorcycle-helmet-law/I've only skimmed the page and it does seem to have an "anti" bias HTH
Too old to die young, too ugly to leave a good looking corpse
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3/4 Throttle
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I was working on Streetbike magazine back when the helmet laws were being pushed through due to Federal highway funds being dependent upon each state adopting the helmet law. As I recall, Colorado senator, Ben Nighthorse Campbell was staunchly against a mandated helmet law. I know he presented his arguments to the Senate. ABATE (http://www.abate.org/) present anti helmet law arguments as well.
I would be unstoppable if not for law enforcement and physics.
2002, Cardinal Red & Silver
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Adjunct
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Quote:
Having been converted over to being a helmet wearer. I can assure you that the arguement against helmet laws is not one of risk management, statistics, or safety. Its purely about personal freedoms and at what point does the government step in. As history has shown once they wade in on a mater they never stop going and ya find that they are no longer wading in the pool, but swimming around in the ocean. They never stop interfering. First its helmets then like in Europe its fluro clothing, and one day an air bag suit. Or even the determination that you can not be kept safe on a motorcycle and a street use ban. There are countries in which even if you are on your own property with an atv, snow mobile, trail bike or what have you they can and will fine you for not wearing a helmet. Those countries are used as an example by those who oppose helmet laws to demonstrate how the intrusion never ends.
Thanks for saving me lots of keystrokes, Loco.
I wear a helmet because I am old enough to not screw it all up now. 40 years ago I rode dirt and street without a bucket but I lived in a small town. When I had to start commuting to LA 90 miles one way & four freeway exchanges I wore my helmet religiously...but I wore that helmet by my own choice, not because it was required.
Ride like you mean it.
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Having been converted over to being a helmet wearer. I can assure you that the arguement against helmet laws is not one of risk management, statistics, or safety. Its purely about personal freedoms and at what point does the government step in. As history has shown once they wade in on a mater they never stop going and ya find that they are no longer wading in the pool, but swimming around in the ocean. They never stop interfering. First its helmets then like in Europe its fluro clothing, and one day an air bag suit. Or even the determination that you can not be kept safe on a motorcycle and a street use ban. There are countries in which even if you are on your own property with an atv, snow mobile, trail bike or what have you they can and will fine you for not wearing a helmet. Those countries are used as an example by those who oppose helmet laws to demonstrate how the intrusion never ends.
That's exactly the argument I'm trying to make with my position paper. I need to present both sides, the pros and cons of helmet laws. My argument is going to be that, I think helmets are a good idea, but I think we should have the freedom of choice when it comes to wearing one. I have to have the outline done by saturday. I'm finding a lot of facts and statistics on the benefits of wearing helmets, Having a harder time with the freedom of choice side of it, at least as far as citations are concerned.
I would probably have an easier time just arguing helmet use rather than helmet laws, but I like a challenge I guess.
06 America 904
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Quote:
Link to the debate about compulsory helmets for the UK in 1973.
Including Enoch Powell's speech against it (quotes for your paper )
http://www.righttoride.co.uk/2013/02/07/motorcycle-helmet-law/
I've only skimmed the page and it does seem to have an "anti" bias
HTH
Nice, thanks!
06 America 904
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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You may want to include the Hurt Report inn your sources: web pageThis is a summary not the complete report which is kinda long.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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