William E. Vild – 10/9/08

This page was last updated on October 9, 2008.

Use your brain and wear a helmet; William E. Vild; Beaver County Times; October 9, 2008.

Mr. Wild wrote a similar letter entitled “Rescind state’s helmet law” (August 19, 2007). I didn’t critique that letter.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“A sign on a local hospital billboard: ‘All pros wear them’ — baseball, football and hockey players and bicyclists.

“However, another class of pros who are exposed to dangers are motorcyclists who have the option of wearing helmets and are most susceptible to injury. Many don’t wear them. Why not?

“It seems that in America everyone wants their freedom and does not want to be told what to do. However, when it comes to safety of the individual, common sense should prevail.”

[RWC] Translation: Freedom is OK unless someone does something with which Mr. Vild disagrees.

“I feel that the General Assembly should not have passed legislation to make the use of a helmet optional for the following reasons:

-- An object the size of a chewing gum wrapper can conceal a motorcycle from being seen by another driver.

-- The head of the cyclist is most prone to danger in a crash.

-- Since there are no belts for restraint, the cyclist becomes a projectile in a collision.

-- Broken bones take a long time to heal.

-- Depending on the severity of the collision, the cyclist could become a liability to the state and insurance companies if he has to go on disability.

“The governor and lawmakers should consider legislation that would require all cyclists of all ages to wear helmets for their protection. You only have one brain. Please use it.”

[RWC] Though it’s been a very long time since I rode motorcycles (I owned three.), you wouldn’t get me on a bike without a helmet. The same is true about my using a seatbelt in cars.

That said, I’m tired of folks like Mr. Vild who insist on using government to protect us from ourselves. If I’m stupid enough to ride a motorcycle without wearing a helmet, I deserve what I get. The same is true if I decide to eat in a smoke-filled restaurant, not use sunscreen, et cetera.