Here we go again. Every spring, it seems, we are all expected to stand by and read calls for mandatory helmet laws. While I am sure the writer of the May 28 column, "Mandatory helmet law can save Minnesotans' lives," had everyone's best interests at heart, he missed an important point. He failed to understand there is no safe crash. If you crash your motorcycle, you will be injured. The real solution lies with preventing the crash.
Motorcycle-rights organizations work tirelessly to train, educate and inform riders and non-riders about how to avoid and prevent crashes.
I am not here to argue against helmet use. My argument is against mandatory helmet use. If a person wants to wear a helmet, they should.
The fact remains that driver behavior is at the core of the problem. Distracted and inattentive drivers are among the biggest problems on the road. Not just cell phone users, but everyone who tries to multitask while behind the wheel of a car must accept responsibility.
On a recent motorcycle trip to Washington, D.C., I was amazed by the number of drivers I saw engaged in activities other than driving while traveling 65 mph to 70 mph down the highway. I was forced out of my lane numerous times by drivers oblivious to my presence.
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Anyone really interested in reducing motorcycle fatalities and increasing highway safety should consider criminalizing distracted driving to the level of drunken driving. A driver who uses a cell phone, drinks coffee, reads a book, puts on makeup or engages in any other activity while driving is consciously diverting attention from the act of driving. It is a conscious choice made every day.
A car is a 2,000-pound missile that will cause serious harm to anyone in the way.
"DWI" should be redefined as "Driving While Impaired." Or maybe a "DWII" criminal offense is needed: Driving While Intentionally Impaired." Arresting motorists for DWII would be a logical and rational solution to a growing social problem.
A University of Utah study determined that distracted driving can be just as dangerous as drunken driving. Psychology professor David Strayer, the study's lead author, said, "Just like you put yourself and other people at risk when you drive drunk, you put yourself and others at risk when you use a cell phone and drive. The level of impairment is very similar."
The writer of the May 28 column cited the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. But the administration is notorious for skewing its figures to suit its purposes. In calculating statistics, for example, the administration often refers to "vehicle miles traveled." But it fails to account for the fact that states are not bound to make any figures available. As a result, South Dakota reports zero motorcycle miles traveled, even though the state hosts the largest motorcycle rally in the world, the Black Hills Motorcycle Rally, in Sturgis. The rally draws thousands of avid motorcyclists every year. Knowing this, how can anyone rely on statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration?
The point is that the solution to motorcycle deaths is not a piece of plastic that may or may not make a difference. The solution is educating young drivers and re-educating older drivers.
While I am truly sorry about the loss of the May 28 column writer's friend in a motorcycle accident, I could not agree with his simplistic approach to motorcycle safety.
I would encourage him and others to investigate what state motorcycle-rights organizations do to promote motorcycle safety, training, education and awareness.
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Andrew R. Mathiassen of Superior is the District 6 director of ABATE of Wisconsin, a motorcycle rights and safety organization.
