but being stupid should not be illegal
So would you also be against seatbelt laws?
The higher injury rate that is thrust on our medical system and our insurance companies is not only paid for by the "stupid". The added risk is added to ALL our premiums and taxes.
Left to their own devices, the human race has an incredible ability to make the wrong decisions. Just check out You Tube sometime! Especially anything involving young men and wheels!!!
Some times it takes laws to eventually overcome that "culture" effect that you speak of.
Full face helmets, neck braces, gloves and firesuits would not be standard in all forms of auto racing today, if regulations had not been passed by all the sanctioning bodies.