Smitty
21-06-2006, 01:50 PM
interesting this one
(from todays paper)
in 1999 Florida (USA) had a compulsory helmet law-
both rider and pillion had to wear helmets
(unlike 27 of the other US states where they were optional)
then
Clem Bush (yeah him is related to George Dubya) was governor
and signed a law...making helmets optional
the result?
total motorcycle fatalities in 1999 were 22 (for the state of Florida)
but
in (calendar) 2005 there were 251 fatalities
19 of those killed were wearing helmets
all the other riders killed were NOT wearing helmets
now...and this is my opinion
given that there probably was an increase in the numbers of
riders/bikes since 1999 ('coz motorcycling is getting more popular)
part of the increase in fatalities would relate to that increase in riders
however
the rest of the increase in deaths must relate to riders previously
not being killed becoz they wore helmets... who are now dying
becoz they aren't
as I said...interesting
and maybe a conclusion...helmets save lives
cheers
(from todays paper)
in 1999 Florida (USA) had a compulsory helmet law-
both rider and pillion had to wear helmets
(unlike 27 of the other US states where they were optional)
then
Clem Bush (yeah him is related to George Dubya) was governor
and signed a law...making helmets optional
the result?
total motorcycle fatalities in 1999 were 22 (for the state of Florida)
but
in (calendar) 2005 there were 251 fatalities
19 of those killed were wearing helmets
all the other riders killed were NOT wearing helmets
now...and this is my opinion
given that there probably was an increase in the numbers of
riders/bikes since 1999 ('coz motorcycling is getting more popular)
part of the increase in fatalities would relate to that increase in riders
however
the rest of the increase in deaths must relate to riders previously
not being killed becoz they wore helmets... who are now dying
becoz they aren't
as I said...interesting
and maybe a conclusion...helmets save lives
cheers