TO HELMET, OR NOT TO HELMET THAT IS THE QUESTION
Jan 28, 2004 | 11:53 PM
#51
Pro Rider
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 431
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From: Ohio
TO HELMET, OR NOT TO HELMET THAT IS THE QUESTION
I say that wearing a helmet is completely up to you. if you can live with the consequences of not wearing one, then don't. i went about 13 years without ever wearing a helmet and i still have both my eyeballs and my head only has about 2 scars (none from riding). i think it is a good idea to wear a helmet and goggles. i don't believe in living in the "what if" world. just try to live your life to the fullest everyday and focus on the positive. at anytime, anything could happen. but a pair of goggles and a helmet would help some things from happening.
Jan 28, 2004 | 11:57 PM
#52
Pro Rider
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,296
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TO HELMET, OR NOT TO HELMET THAT IS THE QUESTION
Originally posted by: PilotSniper
You're absolutely correct in your statement when you say that it's your choice! You can choose to wear a helmet or not, because the law doesn't mandate it. But to say that people are ignorant for lecturing you? That's not a correct statement. To be ignorant is to be uninformed. When people care enough to tell you to wear your helmet, they are not ignorant, they are merely expressing concern for your safety. The fact that you don't wear your helmet won't cause the riding areas to close. That is ignorant. If you were to get injured in an ATV-related accident and were not, by your choosing, wearing your helmet, then you would indeed be a contributing factor to the statistical base used by our government to implement such laws that hinder our very sport. If you are hard of hearing, you should still wear your helmet. At least when you do finally get into that accident that we all try to avoid, you'll have a better chance of living through it and not becoming another statistic. Ignorance has no place in this scenario.
Originally posted by: ironrod
This issue isn’t as black and white as some might think. In my opinion, it’s my body, my choice. I am hard of hearing, and when I wear a helmet and am deaf. I can’t tell you how many accidents I have avoided by other quads crossing my path by not wearing a helmet! I hear them, and I avoid them – like many of can when you wear a helmet. However, I do wear it when I dune drag or ride at high speeds in open terrain where there is no traffic. I believe you need to be an adult to understand and weigh the risks for that kind of choice - if you aren't an adult, then a helmet should be mandatory until you are. I cant begin to tell you how many people have lectured me on this subject and even blame guys like me that don’t wear a helmet, on the closure of areas to ride. I'll say it again, if the law allows for me to choose, it’s my choice. Guys that lecture me like that really show their ignorance and have no idea what they are talking about.
This issue isn’t as black and white as some might think. In my opinion, it’s my body, my choice. I am hard of hearing, and when I wear a helmet and am deaf. I can’t tell you how many accidents I have avoided by other quads crossing my path by not wearing a helmet! I hear them, and I avoid them – like many of can when you wear a helmet. However, I do wear it when I dune drag or ride at high speeds in open terrain where there is no traffic. I believe you need to be an adult to understand and weigh the risks for that kind of choice - if you aren't an adult, then a helmet should be mandatory until you are. I cant begin to tell you how many people have lectured me on this subject and even blame guys like me that don’t wear a helmet, on the closure of areas to ride. I'll say it again, if the law allows for me to choose, it’s my choice. Guys that lecture me like that really show their ignorance and have no idea what they are talking about.
You know, I dont mind an intelligent conversation about helmets, the benifits and drawbacks to them. But blanket advice to all people regardless of the facts is a little too much for me. The last time I checked I was a free man, and I stopped being lectured to when I was 18 years old, 22 years ago. Pretty soon, people will be telling me this and that, whats best for me and not. I am ultamately responsible for my own safety, not you sir.
Sorry - we can agree to disagree.
Jan 29, 2004 | 12:18 AM
#53
Trailblazer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
TO HELMET, OR NOT TO HELMET THAT IS THE QUESTION
Originally posted by: ironrod
No sand area in Oregon has ever been closed due to a helmet not being worn. Thats a fact.
No sand area in Oregon has ever been closed due to a helmet not being worn. Thats a fact.
Be safe, my friend, and wear your brain bucket!!! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]
Jan 29, 2004 | 12:25 AM
#54
Pro Rider
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,296
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TO HELMET, OR NOT TO HELMET THAT IS THE QUESTION
Originally posted by: PilotSniper
That's my point exactly! They won't close the area because YOU didn't wear your helmet. They won't even close the area because HE or SHE didn't wear his or her helmet. They don't care. It's not the law and they don't profit from it. You get to do whatever you want to do. Choose to wear or don't, it makes no difference.....until.....there's an accident that happens which has tragic consequences leading back to the non-existence of a helmet on the deceased or maimed driver of the ATV in question. That's all the statistical ammunition THEY need to make the decisions that take away OUR freedoms because it's human nature to do the wrong thing like NOT wear your helmet in the first place. It's too easy to say that the helmet is hot, it obstructs my vision, it squeezes my head, I can't hear with it on, etc.
Be safe, my friend, and wear your brain bucket!!! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]
Originally posted by: ironrod
No sand area in Oregon has ever been closed due to a helmet not being worn. Thats a fact.
No sand area in Oregon has ever been closed due to a helmet not being worn. Thats a fact.
Be safe, my friend, and wear your brain bucket!!! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]
Marky
Jan 29, 2004 | 12:41 AM
#55
Trailblazer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
TO HELMET, OR NOT TO HELMET THAT IS THE QUESTION
Originally posted by: ironrod
Here is where you are misinformed; Oregon does not keep tallies on helmets being worn or not when its legal to not wear a helmet. There is your miscalculation.
Here is where you are misinformed; Oregon does not keep tallies on helmets being worn or not when its legal to not wear a helmet. There is your miscalculation.
Misinformed? Try again.
Jan 29, 2004 | 12:50 AM
#56
Pro Rider
Joined: Jun 2003
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TO HELMET, OR NOT TO HELMET THAT IS THE QUESTION
I disagree - like I have said, I know that stats and regulations for the State of Oregon. Other states, I do not know.
For the other readers, I suggest you ask the local law enforcement for a copy of the accident report in your riding area. In Oregon, no such stats are kept for riders having an accident that do not wear a helmet for off-road riding. There are a number of things that are recorded, such as alcohol levels if drinking and riding are suspected. But not the wearing or lack of helmets . The next time I am on dune patrol, I'll be happy grab one of those accident reports and fax one to you.
Marky
For the other readers, I suggest you ask the local law enforcement for a copy of the accident report in your riding area. In Oregon, no such stats are kept for riders having an accident that do not wear a helmet for off-road riding. There are a number of things that are recorded, such as alcohol levels if drinking and riding are suspected. But not the wearing or lack of helmets . The next time I am on dune patrol, I'll be happy grab one of those accident reports and fax one to you.
Marky
Jan 29, 2004 | 01:22 AM
#57
Pro Rider
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 594
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TO HELMET, OR NOT TO HELMET THAT IS THE QUESTION
i was on a site catching some video the other day think it was called dune review or somthing, i must admit i was shocked that everone was wearing helmets even out on the sand,
ive gone in a strait line once on my zilla without a helmet (naughty me) and i found the wind in my eyes uncomfortable to say the least,
i would definitly struggle controlling it at speed,
wearing a helmet for me enhances the riding pleasure by making me more confident, and more aware of whats going on, i also find the slight restriction in periferal vision keeps me focused on the terain and where im riding,
and remember past performance with no helmet is no guarantee for the future
ive gone in a strait line once on my zilla without a helmet (naughty me) and i found the wind in my eyes uncomfortable to say the least,
i would definitly struggle controlling it at speed,
wearing a helmet for me enhances the riding pleasure by making me more confident, and more aware of whats going on, i also find the slight restriction in periferal vision keeps me focused on the terain and where im riding,
and remember past performance with no helmet is no guarantee for the future
Jan 29, 2004 | 02:04 AM
#58
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
TO HELMET, OR NOT TO HELMET THAT IS THE QUESTION
be safe wear a lid, open or full face to better fit your riding style. Its not always your riding abilities it can be anothers coming at you at high speeds. You can also pick up some stylish lids now.
Jan 29, 2004 | 05:43 PM
#59
Range Rover
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
TO HELMET, OR NOT TO HELMET THAT IS THE QUESTION
the reason a helmet should be worn is not because of statistics or land closure.
it should be worn because you are operating a motor vehicle in an enviroment where your chance of getting injured is greater
the word accident to me means: unexpected or unforseen event with a negative outcome ---like injury or death caused by you or by others or other things ( like a tree.) emphesis on caused by others.
so you never know , be prepared...
"if I could just tell what will happend 10 minutes ahead of time , I would only were my helmet when needed."
it should be worn because you are operating a motor vehicle in an enviroment where your chance of getting injured is greater
the word accident to me means: unexpected or unforseen event with a negative outcome ---like injury or death caused by you or by others or other things ( like a tree.) emphesis on caused by others.
so you never know , be prepared...
"if I could just tell what will happend 10 minutes ahead of time , I would only were my helmet when needed."
Jan 29, 2004 | 06:57 PM
#60
Pro Rider
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
TO HELMET, OR NOT TO HELMET THAT IS THE QUESTION
Originally posted by: ironrod
Let me clear this up. People that say riders that dont wear a helmet are to blame for closures to sand areas really are ignorant! No sand area in Oregon has ever been closed due to a helmet not being worn. Thats a fact.
You know, I dont mind an intelligent conversation about helmets, the benifits and drawbacks to them. But blanket advice to all people regardless of the facts is a little too much for me. The last time I checked I was a free man, and I stopped being lectured to when I was 18 years old, 22 years ago. Pretty soon, people will be telling me this and that, whats best for me and not. I am ultamately responsible for my own safety, not you sir.
Sorry - we can agree to disagree.
Originally posted by: PilotSniper
You're absolutely correct in your statement when you say that it's your choice! You can choose to wear a helmet or not, because the law doesn't mandate it. But to say that people are ignorant for lecturing you? That's not a correct statement. To be ignorant is to be uninformed. When people care enough to tell you to wear your helmet, they are not ignorant, they are merely expressing concern for your safety. The fact that you don't wear your helmet won't cause the riding areas to close. That is ignorant. If you were to get injured in an ATV-related accident and were not, by your choosing, wearing your helmet, then you would indeed be a contributing factor to the statistical base used by our government to implement such laws that hinder our very sport. If you are hard of hearing, you should still wear your helmet. At least when you do finally get into that accident that we all try to avoid, you'll have a better chance of living through it and not becoming another statistic. Ignorance has no place in this scenario.
Originally posted by: ironrod
This issue isn’t as black and white as some might think. In my opinion, it’s my body, my choice. I am hard of hearing, and when I wear a helmet and am deaf. I can’t tell you how many accidents I have avoided by other quads crossing my path by not wearing a helmet! I hear them, and I avoid them – like many of can when you wear a helmet. However, I do wear it when I dune drag or ride at high speeds in open terrain where there is no traffic. I believe you need to be an adult to understand and weigh the risks for that kind of choice - if you aren't an adult, then a helmet should be mandatory until you are. I cant begin to tell you how many people have lectured me on this subject and even blame guys like me that don’t wear a helmet, on the closure of areas to ride. I'll say it again, if the law allows for me to choose, it’s my choice. Guys that lecture me like that really show their ignorance and have no idea what they are talking about.
This issue isn’t as black and white as some might think. In my opinion, it’s my body, my choice. I am hard of hearing, and when I wear a helmet and am deaf. I can’t tell you how many accidents I have avoided by other quads crossing my path by not wearing a helmet! I hear them, and I avoid them – like many of can when you wear a helmet. However, I do wear it when I dune drag or ride at high speeds in open terrain where there is no traffic. I believe you need to be an adult to understand and weigh the risks for that kind of choice - if you aren't an adult, then a helmet should be mandatory until you are. I cant begin to tell you how many people have lectured me on this subject and even blame guys like me that don’t wear a helmet, on the closure of areas to ride. I'll say it again, if the law allows for me to choose, it’s my choice. Guys that lecture me like that really show their ignorance and have no idea what they are talking about.
You know, I dont mind an intelligent conversation about helmets, the benifits and drawbacks to them. But blanket advice to all people regardless of the facts is a little too much for me. The last time I checked I was a free man, and I stopped being lectured to when I was 18 years old, 22 years ago. Pretty soon, people will be telling me this and that, whats best for me and not. I am ultamately responsible for my own safety, not you sir.
Sorry - we can agree to disagree.
The only reason that there are dune closures are the enviromental wackos that don't want humans anywhere near the outdoors. To them, humans are the root of all evil. They may be using the helmet issue as a front however.