A little background. In 2009 I celebrated 30 years as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP). I have been deeply involved in safety for that time. I currently own a safety consulting company dealing with all aspects of occupational safety and health. I routinely develop and analyze safety statistics.
I have been riding motorcycles for about 42 years... started when I was 2... <g>... I believe it appropriate to wear safety gear including a helmet when riding. BUT, I am American. I believe we each have the right to make these decisions for ourselves. This is not intended to start a debate on whether or not we should wear helmets. I suggest you should, but if you don't its your business. Freedom in the small things ensures freedom in the larger sense.
Anyone who has followed the helmet issue over the years, knows the IIHS has a political agenda. That agenda is to mandate universal helmet use and to use that as a lead-in to requirements of full protective gear, reflective vests etc.
I read, today, this story:
http://www.clutchandchrome.com/news/news/more-motorcycle-helmet-laws-mean-less-insurance-claims
First that title should be FEWER!!! not LESS!!!
Anyway, a group tied to the IIHS (HLDI) has generated a study indicating there are fewer insurance claims (4%) from bike injuries in States with helmet laws than in States without mandatory helmet laws. The problem is... they don't know whether the injured were wearing helmets or the type of injury involved. So, if the guy was wearing a lid and broke his FOOT - and he lived in a State not requiring helmets, he would be included in this study... as a positive for requiring helmet laws!
Ultimately they claim there is a 4% increased injury risk in the States without helmet laws... wonder what the margin of error is for this "study"!!!
So, I have decided to do my own study using the same technique.
I looked at Idaho and Ohio. Ohio has more motorcycle accidents than Idaho AND, Ohio has Skyline Chili stores. MY conclusion... States with Skyline Chili stores are more likely to have motorcycle accidents, so Skyline Chill should be banned.
Government bureaucrats with policital agendas are continuously bombarding us with "statistics" which cannot stand up to close scrutiny. (Global warming anyone?) This in itself is a travesty, but they use these bogus studies and analyses to enact regulations which negatively impact all of our lives. And, there is a certain number of us who actually believe these "statistics". After all, scientists can't be wrong... (cough, cough).
Come on folks. This is silly. Regardless of your stand on helmet use, we cannot continue to allow these people to get away with this sort of propaganda science.
I am really worried about whether my grandchildren will be able to ride. With Obamacare any activity which can be shown to result in increased cost to the "system" will ultimately be strictly controlled or banned. The junk scientists WILL produce "studies" to support their political agenda. We have to continue to push back.
PS...
On the same page of the article they have a poll which says... "according to a new study riders are more likely to wear a helmet if the law mandates it"!!!! Is it just me or is this simply "ignorance gone wild"! Geez!
Our tax dollars at work.... >:(
49Reo
There has been some funds made available to do a REAL motorcycle accident study. They actually determine the type of injury, what safety devices were used and can analyze whether or not a helmet would have mitigated the injury. Obviously, massive internal injury, broken appendages, etc. would not be impacted.
This is what we really need. Then the info can be used to encourage adults to use the appropriate personal protective equipment.
But don't count on the government in this regard. They have a history of subverting science to further their political agenda. Did you know the study upon which the second-hand smoke regulations were initially based has been discredited and withdrawn? But the government continues to perpetuate the myth.
As a Project Manager, we are often warned "do not torture the numbers until they say what management wants them to say" I fear this is not the case for those with political agendas like the IIHS.
My favorite quote: There are 3 types of lies... Little white lies... Big Fat Whopper lies... and Statics. ;D
PoppaK
I have often used the Mark Twain version... lies, damn lies and statistics. Likewise I sometimes use a form of - there are liars, outrageous liars and scientific experts... modifying the latter liar to Democrats, politicians etc. as may suit the moment!