Common sense can save bikers' lives..A Times Editorial
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Common sense can save bikers' lives..A Times Editorial
Common sense can save bikers' lives
A Times Editorial
Published May 4, 2005
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The growing popularity of motorcycle riding can be accompanied by deadly consequences as three fatal accidents in nine hours on Pasco roads illustrates.
George Stephanou, 40, of Wesley Chapel bought his 2002 Harley-Davidson Sportster a week ago. The next day he lay dead on Fox Wood Boulevard after slamming into a mailbox when he lost control of his motorcycle, attempting to negotiate a slight curve in the road. Stephanou was not wearing a helmet.
Neither was Adam Long, 22, of New Port Richey, who died just after midnight Friday at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa about eight hours after he swerved his Honda motorcycle to the left to avoid a turning car on Little Road. However, he could not miss hitting a Buick entering Little Road from San Miguel Drive.
Wearing a helmet improves the chances of survival in an accident, but it is no guarantee, as the third crash demonstrated. Justin Feagles, 23, of Port Richey, who wore a helmet, died after his motorcycle collided with a car at Regency Park Boulevard and Cay Drive about 11 p.m. Wednesday.
Motorists must be aware of the growing number of motorcycle riders with whom they share the road. Florida Highway Patrol spokesman Trooper Larry Coggins Jr. urged drivers to use caution. Motorcyclists "are there, they do share the road and motorists need to watch for them," he said.
Indeed. In the first 18 months after the state rescinded the mandatory helmet law on July 1, 2000, motorcycle registration climbed 19 percent to more than 433,000, according to a state study. Crashes increased 16 percent to 8,215 and fatalities went from 284 to 404, a 41.7 percent jump.
Motorcyclists give a litany of reasons for not wearing helmets: They impair peripheral vision, they are hot, or they restrict the ability to talk on cell phones. Other riders just like the feeling of the wind in their hair.
Are any of those reasons good enough to risk death, or even more commonly, permanent brain damage that destroys the ability to take care of oneself?
Motorcycles are increasingly popular, with higher gasoline prices considered one of the reasons. There is disagreement about whether death rates are rising because there are more people riding motorcycles or because more people are riding without helmets.
Enthusiasts cite their own statistics, including the boast that eliminating the helmet law helped spur more than $1.2-billion worth of motorcycle sales, sales tax collections and registration fees within the state between 2000 and 2003. The emphasis on dollars and cents over common sense, however, fails to account for loss productivity and higher medical costs from increasing deaths and injuries.
A state study found that injuries to motorcyclists who did not wear helmets were more serious and more expensive to treat than those to riders who wore helmets.
It is often said that government cannot legislate common sense. It makes good sense for motorcyclists, who could in the blink of an eye wind up on the hard pavement, to protect their heads with helmets. However, many riders don't and even would argue that their nonsensical choice is a good one.
Motorcyclists need to make additional choices to improve their chances of having a safe ride: Drive within the speed limit and drive defensively. These common sense choices will improve their own chances of enjoying their hobby for many more years.
A Times Editorial
Published May 4, 2005
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The growing popularity of motorcycle riding can be accompanied by deadly consequences as three fatal accidents in nine hours on Pasco roads illustrates.
George Stephanou, 40, of Wesley Chapel bought his 2002 Harley-Davidson Sportster a week ago. The next day he lay dead on Fox Wood Boulevard after slamming into a mailbox when he lost control of his motorcycle, attempting to negotiate a slight curve in the road. Stephanou was not wearing a helmet.
Neither was Adam Long, 22, of New Port Richey, who died just after midnight Friday at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa about eight hours after he swerved his Honda motorcycle to the left to avoid a turning car on Little Road. However, he could not miss hitting a Buick entering Little Road from San Miguel Drive.
Wearing a helmet improves the chances of survival in an accident, but it is no guarantee, as the third crash demonstrated. Justin Feagles, 23, of Port Richey, who wore a helmet, died after his motorcycle collided with a car at Regency Park Boulevard and Cay Drive about 11 p.m. Wednesday.
Motorists must be aware of the growing number of motorcycle riders with whom they share the road. Florida Highway Patrol spokesman Trooper Larry Coggins Jr. urged drivers to use caution. Motorcyclists "are there, they do share the road and motorists need to watch for them," he said.
Indeed. In the first 18 months after the state rescinded the mandatory helmet law on July 1, 2000, motorcycle registration climbed 19 percent to more than 433,000, according to a state study. Crashes increased 16 percent to 8,215 and fatalities went from 284 to 404, a 41.7 percent jump.
Motorcyclists give a litany of reasons for not wearing helmets: They impair peripheral vision, they are hot, or they restrict the ability to talk on cell phones. Other riders just like the feeling of the wind in their hair.
Are any of those reasons good enough to risk death, or even more commonly, permanent brain damage that destroys the ability to take care of oneself?
Motorcycles are increasingly popular, with higher gasoline prices considered one of the reasons. There is disagreement about whether death rates are rising because there are more people riding motorcycles or because more people are riding without helmets.
Enthusiasts cite their own statistics, including the boast that eliminating the helmet law helped spur more than $1.2-billion worth of motorcycle sales, sales tax collections and registration fees within the state between 2000 and 2003. The emphasis on dollars and cents over common sense, however, fails to account for loss productivity and higher medical costs from increasing deaths and injuries.
A state study found that injuries to motorcyclists who did not wear helmets were more serious and more expensive to treat than those to riders who wore helmets.
It is often said that government cannot legislate common sense. It makes good sense for motorcyclists, who could in the blink of an eye wind up on the hard pavement, to protect their heads with helmets. However, many riders don't and even would argue that their nonsensical choice is a good one.
Motorcyclists need to make additional choices to improve their chances of having a safe ride: Drive within the speed limit and drive defensively. These common sense choices will improve their own chances of enjoying their hobby for many more years.
gone fishin
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Wear Your Gear!
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One of the consequences of such notions as "entitlements" is that people who have contributed nothing to society feel that society owes them something, apparently just for being nice enough to grace us with their presence.”
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WOW! An editorial worth reading! Good, about time this got addressed. I especially like the part where it asked drivers to watch the fuck out for our asses.
+1 to what Cecil said, Wear your gear, ALL OF IT!!!!!!
+1 to what Cecil said, Wear your gear, ALL OF IT!!!!!!
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Totaly agree and a good read at that. +1 cecil.
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Toys are fun, atleast they dont say NO.
Like to drink buy a drinking tee
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JDM TILL I DIE.
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Great article Sportsbikegurly.Also dont get a buell thats not hot, chicks look so sexy on crotchrockets im telling you get a f4i cbr 600 youll be able to control it and wont get bored fast like you will with a harley.Good look with whatever you purchase rook.
