Blogging for Freedom!

I'm new to blogging but not new to fighting for freedom! My primary area of interest has long been the right of bikers to determine their own destiny, to decide whether to wear a helmet. Before anyone starts in on helmet use, pro or con, let me just say I am not opposed to helmets, just a law that mandates them, and yes, I am opposed to mandatory seat belt laws too! Why, because they are simply steps to total government control of every aspect of our lives.

Here's a guest editorial I wrote for the Memphis Commercial Appeal....

Helmet Laws - A View from the Rider’s Seat April 17, 2007

It was back in 1967 that Tennessee enacted a helmet law, under threat from the Federal Government that highway funds would be withheld if the state failed to enact both motorcycle licensing and helmet laws. Interstate projects were just getting underway and the loss of those dollars and the jobs that went with them were too much to ignore, besides, there weren’t a lot of motorcycles on the road so who would care?

In 1976, President Gerald Ford signed HR 3869, effectively ending the federal mandate and by the end of 1977, 22 states had repealed or modified their helmet laws. Today, 30 states have legalized freedom of choice. According to the NHTSA, the statistical difference between states with freedom of choice and those without is small but comes down to the fact that free states are safer overall, with lower fatality to registration ratios during the period 1978-2002 and downward trending injury rates from 1995-2004, the last period studied. (see attached charts)

Tennessee’s 270,000 licensed motorcyclists overwhelmingly support the right to choose when or if they wear a helmet, yet the medical and insurance lobbies bring up all the same old arguments about insurance, public burden, accidents, injuries and fatalities. If you believe those who oppose freedom, then forcing everyone to wear a helmet will cause the economy to boom and be the answer to every safety question known to man. It is the one “silver bullet” for which mankind has searched for millenniums. NHTSA says it is THE answer, yet their own stats that they don’t show you say otherwise. Studies show that mandatory laws and helmet hype also contribute to “risk homeostasis”, a false sense of security or feeling of invincibility. Considering that helmets only come into play in 20% of crashes, maybe the feds need to mandate body armor for the other 80%.

Since Tennessee head injury rates in automobiles are over 12 times higher than that for motorcycles, will we all be wearing helmets in automobiles soon? If the folks who proclaim “if we can just save one life” have their way, it’s possible. Fact: most accidents occur in the home. I wonder when we'll be facing mandatory floor mats and safety gear in all bathrooms, kitchens and bedrooms. Don't laugh... helmet laws are okay as long as they apply to the "other guy."

Tennessee motorcyclists sincerely want to reduce injuries and fatalities and feel the way to achieve this goal is increased availability of rider training programs, motorist awareness programs, addressing the issues of riding under the influence and the epidemic of motorists driving distracted and running over motorcyclists. Let’s concentrate on preventing the crashes! Look Twice – Save a Life!

The Tennessee Senate has passed SB 1511. Tennessee motorcyclists calling their House Representatives and making their feelings known to those who will vote on this issue over the next few weeks have the opportunity to make a fundamental change in government’s overwhelming desire to control our lives from cradle to grave. The prime sponsor of HB 1283 is also a practicing physician who rides. Co-sponsors include members from law enforcement, PhD’s , lawyers, engineers and other professionals.

(The prime sponsor, Dr. Hensley, has turned over the lead on the bill to Rep. Curry Todd since this was written)