Date:         Wed, 24 Sep 2003 09:00:21 -0400
Reply-To:     Ron Tipton <uther@DRAGONHOME.ORG>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ron Tipton <uther@DRAGONHOME.ORG>
Subject:      Re: Am stuck in a wheel chair (not a funny post and its not
              friday...)
Comments: To: Timothy Lee Harrison <tim@HARRISONLAND.CO.UK>
In-Reply-To:  Message from Timothy Lee Harrison <tim@HARRISONLAND.CO.UK> of
              "Wed, 24 Sep 2003 13:19:06 BST."
              <200309241319.06370.tim@harrisonland.co.uk>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

> On Wednesday 24 Sep 2003 12:15, you wrote:

--------------- snip ---------------

> I know which one I'd choose. However, that is not the choice. A relatively
> minor head injury can leave you with recurrent seizures, persistent
> migraines, forgetfulness, change of personality etc. You can also end up
> with hemiplegia, neuralgia, neuroplegia...
>
> When post-traumatic symptoms occur, these are far more likely than instant
> death. *Now* answer me, which would you prefer? I know my answer - I work
> in health care and have seen many motorcyclists walk away from accidents
> *because* they were wearing a helmet.
>
> Also, have you ever seen how much skin will be removed from your body in a
> minor slide, say from 15mph? The helmet protects your head against
> abrasive damage, your hands will be ripped to shreds. There's more to it
> that just impact protection - that's why you would be far wiser to wear
> good quality leathers as well. The choice is obviously the individual's.
> Some make a wiser choice than others.

Based on my almost half a century of motorcycling experience, I completely
agree with the all of the above.  That said, I also don't believe in
helmet laws for adults (or seatbelt laws either).  It is arguable that
helmets may cause accidents - you can't hear or see as well when wearing
one.  My major reason for opposing helmet laws is philosophical.  It's not
the business of the government to make decisions about me.  It's the job
of the government to make decisions that an individual cannot make.  IE to
build highways, hire police, etc.  We can't do those things alone, we must
work together.  We call this working together a government.

I, of course, will not move my bike without wearing a helmet.  I also will
not drive or ride in any car without being belted in.  I also don't jump
out of perfectly good airplanes, or sail small boats around the world.  The
world is full of dangerous things and we each decide what risks we will take
for what rewards.  I am unwilling to give up this freedom to the government.

This relates to vanagons in that we choose to drive them in spite of the
fact that more modern cars have numerous safety devices they lack.  Depending
on model year, this can include rear shoulder harnesses, air bags in various
places, traction control, anti-lock brakes, etc.  I would like to see a
discussion on adding some of these to a vanagon.

r

Ron Tipton
uther@dragonhome.org