Helmet debate rides on

By Keith Purtell
Phoenix Staff Writer

May 12, 2008 08:15 pm

— Early on Mother’s Day, a motorcyclist died when he struck a guard rail along Interstate 40 in Sequoyah County and was thrown 50 feet.
The 33-year-old driver was pronounced dead on arrival due to massive head and internal injuries, despite the fact he was wearing a helmet.
Being required to wear a helmet can provoke strong feelings either positive or negative among motorcyclists.
Keith Baughman, 32, who owns Quizno’s Sub on North Main Street, said he’s been riding motorcycles since he was 3.
“I own several,” he said. “Most the ones I have right now are Japanese, but I will ride a Harley with the best of them.”
Baughman said there’s something very pleasurable about the experience of riding a motorcycle.
“It’s just the freedom of the open road; it clears your mind,” he said. “It’s stress relief. It’s almost like a drug.”
Not having a motorcycle only reminds Baughman of how much the sport means to him.
“There have been times in my life when I didn’t have a bike, and every time I would see one, I would think, ‘Oh gosh I’ve got to get one of those,’” he said. “I had to sell all my motorcycles when I opened Quizno’s. Leif (a friend) brought his Harley over and just said, ‘Here, ride.’”
Although he does not believe the government should force helmets on riders, Baughman said he wears one by choice.
“I believe it is up to us as people to wear a helmet or not,” he said. “I wear them, although in the dead heat of summer, I’ll just wear a little beanie helmet.”
Baughman said the common sense of wearing a helmet was demonstrated lately.
“I had an accident recently where my head hit the ditch,” he said. “If it weren’t for my helmet, it would have cracked my head wide open. Sometimes the cycle shop will run a special on helmets. You have to decide; how much is your head worth?”
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the history of motorcycle helmet laws in the United States is characterized by change. In 1967, to increase motorcycle helmet use, the federal government required states to enact helmet use laws to qualify for certain federal safety programs and highway construction funds.
By the early 1970s, almost all the states had universal motorcycle helmet laws (”universal” in the sense that they covered all riders).
Michigan was the first state to repeal its law in 1968, beginning a pattern of repeal, reenactment, and amendment of motorcycle helmet laws.
By 1980, most states had repealed or limited their motorcycle helmet laws to cover riders younger than 18, but not older riders. Later states that had repealed the law, reinstated it but only for young riders. All but three states — Illinois, Iowa, and New Hampshire — now require some or all motorcyclists to wear helmets.
The institute says research has shown that universal helmet laws reduce deaths and serious injuries among motorcyclists. The sharp reductions in helmet use resulting from weakening or repealing motorcycle helmet laws are followed by significant increases in injuries and deaths.
Steve Loftin, parts manager at Road Track and Trail, said there are several basic helmet designs.
“The full-face helmets have a screen for your eyes to look out,” he said. “They offer more protection from bugs or debris, and more wind protection.
“Although they’re quieter, they are hotter in summertime. You can get them with exhaust vents that let hot air escape. In the winter time, you definitely want full-face protection.”
A variation on the full-face design is used by people riding all-terrain vehicles; the helmet has a somewhat protruding mouth piece and includes a sun visor.
Loftin said a third design omits the piece of hard helmet material in front of the mouth and nose.
“The touring guys who ride long distances prefer open face helmets, especially if they use the microphones that come with intercom systems,” he said.
The most basic design resembles an inverted bowl.
“Some of the people doing street riding wear the half helmet that fits right above the ears,” Loftin said. “They also use those if the don’t like helmets but are in states like Missouri that require one.”
Loftin said there are three ratings systems for helmet quality and safety. The minimum standard is set by the Department of Transportation.
“Every helmet we carry is DOT approved,” he said. “There is also a Snell rating by helmet manufacturers. Another standard is BSI (British Standards Institute); it seems to be a tougher standard, and you see that used in high end helmets.
Loftin said an entry-level rider can get a DOT-approved full-face helmet for $120.
“If you’re just riding around town and don’t want to bother with a helmet, you might throw on some safety glasses,” he said. “But if you’re going 500 miles a day, you believe in a helmet. I always wear one; it’s just what I believe in.”

Reach Keith Purtell at 684-2925 or kpurtell@muskogeephoenix.com.

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