I don't like zoning laws but I can see the purpose for them because the way your property is managed affects those around you. I shouldnt have brought that up.

But telling me I can or cant do something that will only endanger myself is not exactly the same thing.

 

Let's pass the laws and try to enforce them.

I realize some cities would need more than one and some might not need one at all, but assuming there is an average of 1000 towns/cities per state at 1 officer per city making approximately $40,000 plus benefits/fringe and supplying that officer with an atv in lieu of a car would cost approximately $2.5 billion (2,500,000,000.00) dollars for the initial year and 2.3 billion plus cost of living increases thereafter. (salary, car, trailer and atv would be about $3.4 billion for the initial year).

You willing to pay for that? How effective would that be considering how much terrain they would have to cover?

 

What are you talking about? Zoning laws already are in place. I'm not advocating more or stricter rules.... Just saying I can understand them and they really arent the same as taking away personal freedoms....

Maybe I'm misunderstanding.

 

Sorry Glimp.

I was poking fun at trx440's comment on taxpayers paying for cracked skulls and trying to enforce unenforceable laws, such as helmets for adults on atvs on private property. Saving money is not a good arguement.

Not to mention how much it costs taxpayers for the legislature to even consider a law to begin with. Why even attempt to pass a law if you do not the means to enforce it?

Personally, I would rather our law enforcement dollars be spent on real criminals. Forcing adults to wear helmets is kind of like cracking down on j-walking. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

 

Good point a while back about the hunters that never go faster than 5MPH, on good gravel roads and don't wear helmets. I know several of these folks myself, and they are the exception to the rule. you've all made some good points, although there's been a few stupid ones. Although I still gotta see the ******** removal web page[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] , that's hilarious!

I see what you're saying about imposing laws. I work my a$$ off at home and then run down to Home Depot to get more materials. I'm hot, thirsty, so I have ONE single beer (although it's Canadian beer, so it'd be like 4 American beers [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] ). Now that's illegal everywhere. But it is only ONE, and I NEVER drive drunk, or even close to drunk. It's common sense though. I pose no risk to anyone at one beer, likewise the no-helmet poses no risk to the 5 MPH hunter. BUT, the law has to get drafted for the mass, not for the few that use common sense. And in either scenario, if I or the hunter get caught, we're getting fined!

wow, 114 posts, this thread is getting so long, that I thought all has been said with every possible angle and opinion covered.... but then there's that ******** removal page... LOL!!

 

I hope none of you think I am advocating new laws, we have enough of them already. Besides, we all know you can't legislate common sense.

What some have offered others' here is constructive [ albeit slightly sarcastic ] critisism. Some feel that if you are on this board, you are apart of our community because by your participation in such discussions it shows you have an interest in what is going on.
Some of us might even care that you or one of your loved ones might bump their head when they go boom.

But please drop the Harley Hog Headed attitude about right to choose, ride free-live free, blah blah blah.

I promise, no one here will TAKE AWAY your right to ride an ATV without a helmet. I wouldn't do it if I could. I will voice my opinion about your actions, that is just as American as you exercising your rights.

Example:
Sean Penn has EVERY right to say whatever he wants about the U.S. but then he cries when people voice their opinions about his opinions. $hit flies both ways. I won't watch another one of his movies. Turns out his best role was as a pot smoking, dummy. Isn't that art immitating life.

Oh, as far as the hunters and the 5mph example.....
I watched a girl turn a Sportsman 500 over doing less than that in Colorado on an ATV Tour. No helmet and a 6 inch gash from her forehead to the top of her head. I know she's a girl.....but it could have happened to anyone..........without a helmet on.

It's been fun. Remember, your actions can effect others even when you think it doesn't. You don't have to change, just be respectful of others concerns and opinions like they are respectful of your rights to



BE DEAD WRONG!!! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/img]

 

at 5 MPH she got a cut on her head, no fatality, no serious injury. she was unprotected. that's all I'd hope would happen. she could have received the same injury at home slipping on the bottom step and banging into a wall-shelf. Or trying to wear a fish lure as an ear ring or use it as lipstick (in which case she'd apparently have the basis for a good lawsuit). she also must have been doing something off-cantor to do that; I just can't see it driving straight... it doesn't matter.

HOWEVER, there was potential there to do lots of damage, considering she flipped or rolled a 500-600lb machine... regardless of helmet use (coulda broke her leg, crushed her spine etc..etc..). This whole thread started on bad atv publicity (targeting kids cuz that's just more sensational), courtesy of CBS. One of the biggest factors and prime examples we pretty well all seem to agree on is kids operating adult size quads. yours is a great example.

I'm not arguing with you because I wear a helmet and I agree with everything else you said. Especially Sean Penn (LMAO). I read an interview with him recently, just before his most recent 2 films released. He said he despises doing comedy and sees himself as a dramatic actor (translation: he's an artsy/fartsy flake). Probably cuz every lay person that ever met him told him Spiccoli was his best role ever, and his ego needs to hear something completely different like, "Oh Sean, you got robbed out of Best Actor Oscar for your role as Chritopher Walken's son in At Close Range" (one of the all-time waste-of-2-hours-of-my-life movies)!

 

Confused,

The accident did happen off-camber. Had it been an off-cantor accident it would have involved a bad singer in a Jewish synagogue. 550lbs on your head can't be much fun even at 0 mph. Let me ask you a question: had that happened to your wife and her skull would have been fractured, would you have sued them??

Is there anyone here who would not have?

Finally, I'll have to disagree with you about "At Close Range". It is one of my favorites. Christopher Walken plays one of the all time great narcisistic psychopaths. I believe anybody could have played the Penn brothers' parts but let's face it; they are very believable as white trash.

 

That's insane, and no I wouldnt sue. Would you sue if you flipped your car over when you drove it off a cliff?

People try to do stupid things with quads then blame the quad magnifacturer. If your going to try to climb walls or go across the sides of steep hills don't be surprised if the thing flips over. It's the Mcdonalds coffee thing all over. People do stupid things then try to blame everyone but themselves. I don't really blame them because it's human nature to say it's not my fault. The people I blame are the ones who don't listen, laugh and tell them to get over it.

It's an accident. Get over it. If it was preventable great, let's figure out what people need to do to avoid it. I'm all for educating people on the dangers of not wearing a helmet or seatbelt. I'm not even against some restrictions and or regulations for children. I'm against our goverment making laws and policy based on an adults individual safety.

 

Glimp,

That was not a rhetorical question. I was literally asking if there is anyone here who wouldn't sue? I'm sure you would have taken the insurance companies money to pay for the medical bills, even if you had been neglegent in providing safety for yourself or a loved one. Why wouldn't you sue? Why do you draw the line there?

BTW,

The REASON I was asking who wouldn't sue is the company doing the atv rental and tour did not offer helmets. We had brought our own knowing we were going to take this excursion. I believe she had never ridden a quad before. The tour guide took off with 3 guys for a spirited run up the fire road so I trailed the 3 pokey wives/girlfriends [along with my wife who is also pokey]. Good thing, I had to roll 2 of those Sportsmans off the girls [one girl was ok and it didn't land on her] who got into the accident and we were holding her forehead and scalp together. Bet they sued.