Helmet law in MI may be 86'd soon.

[Goat_Herder]

... But once you are an adult, its your responsibility to keep yourself alive

I agree. Not to deviate from the OP, but isn't the helmet law the same as seat belt laws?  It's your responsibility to buckle up in case sh!t happens.  But some are just too dumb to wear seat belt.  The govn't require you to wear so you can save your dumb ass, for the benefit of your loved ones (or young ones).

I see helmet law the same way - yes, its your responsiblity but some are just too dumb for his or her own good. 

Feel free to fire back at me.  I am prepared

[Goat_Herder]

Good example why ATGATT:

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=47818.0

[muskrat]

It's also their responsibility NOT to legislate morality but I digress...............
It's everyone's choice to do as they wish as it's also their own responsibility to pay for the damages to themselves should they be hurt with or without a helmet.  Insurance, medical especially, should be mandatory if you ride a motorcycle - and I'm talking about the individual kind or through work, want to steer clear of Big Brother on this one. 

[speedknot]

I dont hear too many first hand accounts but I'll give you one.  While maneuvering a wide 90* turn, I slid out on a morning dew covered manhole cover and was shot headfirst into a wood picket fence.  Well, the helmet and jacket pretty much saved me from crushing my skull and getting all mashed up.   I probably wouldn't have been wearing a helmet if there wasn't a law requiring it.  Even though I believe there should be a choice, someone like me was saved by not having that choice.
I've also seen some pretty make the beast with two backsed up accidents in my job where the helmet helped to limit the injury.  I'll admit though, its nice to go for a slow cruise and feel the wind in your hair.  I'm guilty of it. [moto]

[WarrenJ]

I don't wear my helmet or my seatbelt because there is a law that says I have to.  I wear them because they are tools that have a chance of significantly reducing damage to me if there is an incident.  I resent some legislator or group who insist that they know what is best for me and use the force of arms of the government to enforce it.

[mitt]

I don't think insurance rates will be affected greatly by a change in the law.  They are largely based on bike type, your age, and the statistics of where you live.  

and a +1 to it should be the riders choice, not law, since we have enough laws already...

and a +1 to I wear mine 99.8% of the time - I feel naked without it and have no idea how people can live with bugs and rocks striking their face.

mitt

[Bigbore4]

Staunchly defend my right to choose (MN)

I choose to wear the RF1000 religiously

[sbrguy]

the whole "insurance goes up bc of claims is a bogus argument" always has been and always will be.

insurance rates go up for one reason and one reason only.  

they are private companies to make a profit.

I 100% guarantee rates would go up even if nobody made a single claim ever because the ceo has to have his extra ferrari every year.  

do what you want, wear a helmet if you want, don't wear one if you want.  Its your head you are an adult.

[zarn02]

Oh, why not throw my 2¢ in as well...

When I was younger and dumber I rode a lot without a lid, but a wreck where I just happened to be wearing my gear changed my outlook. At current count, a helmet has saved me from death or vegetation at least once, and maybe twice.

I now wear mine all the time, and believe everyone else should too. There's no law in Kansas saying I have to do so.

As for a law, I would oppose it. It's my firm belief that I have a right to be dumb as hell if I want to be.

(That said, I do resent subsidizing other's idiocy.)

[ItsaDuc]

I would really like to hear from someone in MI what their insurance rates are now and if they go up if this passes.

I am in SE Mich, in one of the burbs of Detroit and just heard about this today. I pay around $250 for full coverage for the year with progressive. Not sure what to expect, but im sure rates will go up some. I personally will continue to wear one all the time should it pass, but to each his/her own.

On a side note, mother in law got a kidney thanks to a doner from Ohio who was in a bad moto accident. A doc here in Mich told her she should get on the list there since they dont have the helmet law and she may get one quicker.  

[Goat_Herder]

On a side note, mother in law got a kidney thanks to a doner from Ohio who was in a bad moto accident. A doc here in Mich told her she should get on the list there since they dont have the helmet law and she may get one quicker.  

Don't know whether to laugh or cry about this one. 

[zarn02]

On a side note, mother in law got a kidney thanks to a doner from Ohio who was in a bad moto accident. A doc here in Mich told her she should get on the list there since they dont have the helmet law and she may get one quicker.  

I guess it's important to find the silver lining in everything?

[ItsaDuc]

Don't know whether to laugh or cry about this one. 

Thats my thoughts. Happy for her, but as a rider, felt horrible for the rider and his family. I guess thats where free will comes in and what is important to each person....is it more important to be as safe as possible, or have the wind in your hair. (and bugs in your teeth) 

[Vindingo]

On a side note, mother in law got a kidney thanks to a doner from Ohio who was in a bad moto accident. A doc here in Mich told her she should get on the list there since they dont have the helmet law and she may get one quicker.  

I am an organ donor, and would want my guts to go to a another human if it could save their life...  That said, I still wear my helmet and try pretty hard not to die while riding my bike. 

As far as the insurance argument:  If more people die from not wearing their helmet, wouldn't that save insurance companies the cost of hospital bills?  I bet a funeral costs less than 4 surgeries and a month in the hospital. 

like sbrguy said, rates go up because they want that cash money 

[ab]

But seriously, How do people ride without a helmet?  I have done it once and the pain in my ears was unbearable.