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I see, and agree, with both sides of the argument.
I agree that helmets save lives, and that every motorcyclist should wear one.
I also agree that it isn't the government's place to enforce it, it should be common sense.
And yeah... survival of the fittest is great to bring up in this argument.
My problem with the whole thing is that there are some pretty shady traffic laws in this country. Enough that if the motorcyclist who wasn't wearing a helmet caused an accident with me, and his brains end up on my vehicle... if his family got a snazzy lawyer, -I- could be liable for his death. That's fucked up. There are laws that try to simplify traffic accidents to the point that in many states, you are automatically at fault if you were the car in the rear or the accident. So if Joe Headstrong decides to dump his bike right in front of my car, and I crush his head under my wheels, suddenly I am at fault for his death.
My feelings are, if you want to ride without a helmet on public roads, you should feel free to do so, but if you do, then you are held responsible for all injuries to your head, regardless of who's fault an accident is.
Cars have to meet a minimum crash rating to be allowed on public US roads for a reason. There is no reason they shouldn't have that same crash rating for your head.
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