This is in response to the transportation analyst from Washington state.
I don’t need to thank the Hawaii State Legislature for doing the right thing. I wrote a brief letter to my senators on my opinion of helmet requirements. I’m glad the bill was tabled. It should not even be an issue for the state or government to be concerned with. It is my choice what I wear while I ride my motorcycle or scooter. Sometimes I wear a helmet, sometimes not. Sometimes I wear slippahs and sometimes not. It’s not the government’s concern. It’s my responsibility.
The analyst describes a Washington lawmaker asserting that he would not vote for the helmet law if the motorcyclist lobby group would pledge no taxpayer dollars would be expended for accidents involving a non-helmet riding motorcyclist. Obviously, that was a “cheap shot” from a big government politician with his mind already made up. I’m sure there is more to the story that the analyst left out.
OK. With that moronic logic, every smoker and/or tobacco user should sign a waiver exempting all taxpayer dollars from their medical expenses due to the repercussions of tobacco use. Or better yet, ask the tobacco lobbyist to pay for the expenses.
If big government really cared about saving lives and really wanted to be intrusive in our lives, they would completely outlaw all forms of tobacco use and smoking. Think of the medical costs that could be saved on secondhand smoke alone. That’s not going to happen.
There are 88,000 injuries per year relating to weed eaters. That’s about the same as motorcycle accidents, including all off-road two-wheeled vehicle accidents. Maybe the government should pass a law requiring anyone using a weed eater to wear a helmet and eye protection. Really?
A motorcyclist is 26 times more likely to be a fatality in an accident than a passenger in a car. That is whether they are wearing a helmet or not. One cannot compare helmets to seat belts. It’s comparing apples and oranges. Seat belts are an absolute necessity to avoid accidents (maintain or regain vehicle control) and saves lives. I may be a fatality in a car/motorcycle accident, but as mentioned before, the driver/passenger of the car will more than likely walk away. Again, my responsibility.
Please, legislatures around the nation. Leave responsibility where it belongs. With the people. Stay out of my garage where I keep my helmet and slippahs. Stay out of my closet where I keep my motorcycle boots.
Vernon Dede is a resident of Kailua-Kona