Tragedy

[jcj78]

I was thinking about this.

I have no training whatsoever, and am woefully ignorant of what I would/should/could do to assist a fellow rider during these critical moments.

This would make an excellent article, being motorcycle specific, from someone who knows.

Is there a doctor in the house?

jm

i agree. I just registered for my EMT1 class last week. Starts next month. I don't think I'll use EMT in a professional capacity, but as a farmer, and motorcycle enthusiast, and hunter, and hiker, I may be the only help for someone I love (or someone you love) for a while until the ambulance can get them to a doctor. I should have done this a long time ago.

 

[jcj78]

I can't remember who said it but it goes something like- "If you are not living in a place where something annoys you, you are not living in a free society".

OM

You are free. If you don't like the rules we set here under the democratic process, you're free to go anywhere else you like better. But lets be realistic. You'll stay, and you'll follow the rules.

For your consideration- more laws??
The Federal department of money collected on a national level denied to a state for no helmet use? Yeah we'll just hold that money in escrow for you 'till you do comply

OM

Not indefinitely. Get your act together within 60 months or one of the socialist states gets it. I bet when the motorcyclists in your state can't drive on the public roads for the potholes they decide helmets don't sound so unreasonable after all. Or maybe they'll just have the yoke of collectivism forced on them by the cage driving masses who get tired of buying shocks and struts.

Its not like it would hard to enforce. Keep your DOT sticker strawmen out of this: A cop can see if you have on a helmet or not from 300 yards. IF you don't, he stops you and someone either brings you a helmet before the tow truck gets called, or they come and picks you up and a tow truck comes and gets your bike. Just like they do every day in every one of the states that doesn't happen run by yee-ha's in stetsons, and some of them that do.

 

[flymymbz]

Be nice if insurance companies could adjust rates according to helmet usage. They do it for smokers.

It would also be nice if they didn't exclude coverage for me if I am killed while flying my airplane. because, you know, airplanes are dangerous.

 

[jcj78]

It would also be nice if they didn't exclude coverage for me if I am killed while flying my airplane. because, you know, airplanes are dangerous.

You can buy insurance that doesn't have that exclusion. Our provider has delivered with reasonable rates while two generations of my family have been professional and recreational pilots. I'd be happy to recommend them in a place that didn't violate forum rules.

 

[Bud]

I'm with Reece. Deny federal highway funding to states that don't have helmet laws.

Why?

 

[36654]

I'm with Reece. Deny federal highway funding to states that don't have helmet laws.

You have two Senators and nine US representatives. Send them a letter. I'm sure they'll waste no time in acting upon your suggestion.

BTW - while TN does specifically state that a helmet is something with a US DOT approval, none of your neighboring states with a helmet law actually specify a US DOT approval. That's what happened to PA, the state choose not to specify the US DOT standard, so the law became a joke to enforce. Almost anything was a helmet.

 

[jcj78]

Why?

I bet when the motorcyclists in your state can't drive on the public roads for the potholes they decide helmets don't sound so unreasonable after all. Or maybe they'll just have the yoke of collectivism forced on them by the cage driving masses who get tired of buying shocks and struts.

 

[jcj78]

You have two Senators and nine US representatives. Send them a letter. I'm sure they'll waste no time in acting upon your suggestion.

BTW - while TN does specifically state that a helmet is something with a US DOT approval, none of your neighboring states with a helmet law actually specify a US DOT approval. That's what happened to PA, the state choose not to specify the US DOT standard, so the law became a joke to enforce. Almost anything was a helmet.

Yeah, here in the south we're familiar with nullification. Its a tactic my representatives know well. Its certainly easier than actual governing, while you're raising your re-election funds and wailing about the war on christmas.

I realize that I don't have much chance of seeing that instituted as policy, but did voice my support for such an act. I figure the most constructive course is the one I outlined in post #30.

 

[motodan]

Tragic. I'm assuming you were the first on the scene. Were you able to help much before EMS got there?

There was little anyone could do. Mostly repeating..."Stay with us...hang in there....help is coming." However the gentleman was totally unresponsive...the dye had been cast. It did take EMS a while to get there...and certainly longer for air transport. Hopefully, something positive will result from Mr. Meadows' demise...perhaps a realization, by at least one individual, that will make a difference.

Thought I'd add a name and news release details:

A motorcyclist died Saturday after he and his 9-year-old passenger struck a dog in the road and were thrown from the vehicle.

Terry Meadows, Lafayette, was life lined to St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis where he was pronounced dead, according to a Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Department news release.

The female passenger, who was wearing a helmet, was transported to IU Arnett where she was treated and released for her injuries.

Witnesses to the crash said Meadows was northbound Indiana 25 near the 9100 block when a dog crossed his path. Meadows was not wearing a helmet when his 2006 Honda Shadow struck the dog.

A crash reconstruction specialist responded to scene and the investigation is ongoing, the news release states.

 

[36654]

I realize that I don't have much chance of seeing that instituted as policy, but did voice my support for such an act. I figure the most constructive course is the one I outlined in post #30.

I understand the frustration and the anger. But, try as we may, we'll never offer the dream that I saw a while back.........A grey-hair Harley, rider in full Pirate regalia, rumbling down the interstate by-pass with an attractive 20-something catching some rays on the back. While at opposite ends of the yard-stick of life, neither of them would have traded places with me, my protective gear and superior machine. It's just the way it is.

People are the strangest animals........

 

[Rinty]

Coming out of Lafayette, Indiana this morning I witnessed a tragedy.

It's an awful experience.

 

[rangerreece]

There was little anyone could do. Mostly repeating..."Stay with us...hang in there....help is coming." However the gentleman was totally unresponsive...the dye had been cast. It did take EMS a while to get there...and certainly longer for air transport. Hopefully, something positive will result from Mr. Meadows' demise...perhaps a realization, by at least one individual, that will make a difference.

Thought I'd add a name and news release details:

A motorcyclist died Saturday after he and his 9-year-old passenger struck a dog in the road and were thrown from the vehicle.

Terry Meadows, Lafayette, was life lined to St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis where he was pronounced dead, according to a Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Department news release.

The female passenger, who was wearing a helmet, was transported to IU Arnett where she was treated and released for her injuries.

Witnesses to the crash said Meadows was northbound Indiana 25 near the 9100 block when a dog crossed his path. Meadows was not wearing a helmet when his 2006 Honda Shadow struck the dog.

A crash reconstruction specialist responded to scene and the investigation is ongoing, the news release states.

Sounds like you nade a difference, and that's all the biker code asks for. The last person he saw was a fellow biker telling him to hang in there and taking care of his daughter. Sleep well this night motodan you earned it.

 

[jcj78]

I understand the frustration and the anger. But, try as we may, we'll never offer the dream that I saw a while back.........A grey-hair Harley, rider in full Pirate regalia, rumbling down the interstate by-pass with an attractive 20-something catching some rays on the back. While at opposite ends of the yard-stick of life, neither of them would have traded places with me, my protective gear and superior machine. It's just the way it is.

People are the strangest animals........

I know. I just have to remember that you don't live a dream, you live a life. And near as I can remember, just the one.

I agree that we're strange critters, 100%.

 

[mikegalbicka]

It's an awful experience.

Could have been doubly awful. I am thankful he chose not to take the same risk with his daughter. For that I give him a measure of credit.

 

[mikegalbicka]

strange critters.

Strange I be, critter I be not.

 

[akbeemer]

Sounds like you nade a difference, and that's all the biker code asks for.....

Where might I find this code?

 

[36654]

Could have been doubly awful. I am thankful he chose not to take the same risk with his daughter. For that I give him a measure of credit.

From a website,

In Indiana, the law requires only those motorcycle drivers and riders under 18 to wear a helmet and protective glasses, goggles, or transparent face shields.

I'll leave the irony to others

 

[glenfiddich]

I don't think that is going to happen. It would take a large organizational change for the MOA to do any lobbying.

I'm ATGATT, I'm also for letting others make their choice on this issue.

And yet, they meekly fasten their seat belts when they get behind the wheel...

 

[dennisdarrow]

Where might I find this code?

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's from a guy that was part of the "right" to not wear a helmet back in the whenever. It was a cause that many BMWMOAers were part of and there was just as mixed of reaction as there is to this. What is comical is that all of this ATGizmo stuff back in the whenever was a set of leathers and a DOT helmet, that we FOUGHT.....FOUGHT to have the RIGHT to NOT wear. This was in a time that govt was not half as intrusive as it is now, and folks are trying to give that hard fought for RIGHT, back to the govt......The pendulum does swing doesn't it.

 

[jconway607]

As a previous poster mentioned, we in the BMW community are already doing a great service both to the general public, and other motorcyclist. We set a good example. People in cars see this constant onslaught of Harley riders in these ridiculous get-ups, and I don't think they know that there is another way to ride a motorcycle. When they see us in sensible, safe gear, I think they can see that there actually are other types of bikers.

From my own point of view, I love going out with my high-viz full face helmet, and high-viz jacket on. When I pass the Harley pirates, I figure the guy is thinking, "Oh man, what a jerk!" But I also firmly believe that way in the back of his mind he has this niggling irritation that says, " Yeah, but I bet he won't get hurt if he goes down." And I always think that the women on the back, with the sparkly bandanna and bare arms, who have nothing to hang on to, and who have a pretty good idea of what will happen to them if the guy she's behind crashes, are thinking to themselves, "Geez, I wish he'd let me wear that stuff. "