Letter: Helmet use should be personal decision, not a government directive

OFF THE WIRE


http://www.htrnews.com/article/20130613/MAN0602/306130120/Letter-Helmet-use-should-personal-decision-not-government-directive?nclick_check=1
Letter: Helmet use should be personal decision, not a government directive

Letters To The Editor
On May 12, an interesting article appeared in a number of major papers in Wisconsin. The article dealt with motorcycle legislation and a group called ABATE (A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments), and it gives a lot of ink to the group’s stance in regard to helmet laws.
Photos were included in the article. I’m the guy, pictured from my backside, walking across the rotunda of the state Capitol. I am in my 24th year of membership in ABATE.
The article was pretty straightforward and presented a number of facts, but some side comments are distorted. One idea portrayed in the article is that ABATE is a force to be reckoned with. Very true. ABATE membership is large and growing, but you know what. We don’t ask for food stamps or government handouts. We don’t buy politicians lavish gifts or whiskey or steak dinners. We don’t trash the capitol buildings or grounds as some so-called sophisticated groups did a few months back.
Jackie Gillan, president of Advocated for Highway and Auto Safety, claims in the article that “taxpayers ultimately pay the cost and lifelong price of un-helmeted riders’ brain injuries.” How do taxpayers pay? Does anyone really believe that someone who rides a motorcycle that may cost anywhere between $10,000 and $40,000 isn’t carrying top-notch insurance?
We all just happen to enjoy the legal activity of motorcycling for enjoyment, and with gasoline in the $4 range, some ride for economic reasons. We are not opposed to anyone wearing a helmet, but we oppose government directives controlling what should be personal choice.
The article states motorcycle deaths have increased 14 of the past 15 years. So have auto deaths increased as the number of drivers has increased. It is not head injuries that cause the greater portion of motorcyclists killed in crashes.
On May 28, 2011, my son-in-law was killed on his motorcycle at an intersection near my property. He could have been wearing 10 helmets and it wouldn’t have helped. What would have helped is if the person driving the truck would have considered the full measure of the intent of a stop sign.
ABATE of Wisconsin is one of the foremost organizations working to keep motorcyclists safe by preventing crashes through awareness and training. ABATE members are taxpayers who hope to educate the populace on who and what is really killing bikers.
Harlee Suttner
New Holstein