We are still mandated to wear them?

The regulating arm of the US Dept. of Transportation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, has publicly stated that helmets are only "estimated to be 37% effective".  Yet we are still mandated to wear them?

Statistics show, that between 1980 and 2008, over 1500 helmets were tested for compliance by independent laboratories contracted to NHTSA.  Motorcycle helmets are only tested to a average impact speed of 13.4 mph.  That is the speed they attain dropping them from 6 feet  above ground.  61.4% of them failed the tests.  Yet we are still mandated to wear them?

Even Harry Hurt, the author of the most quoted report on motorcycle crashes and helmets has stated; "When impact speeds get up to around 25-30 mph, no helmet in the world is going to save you."  Yet we are still mandated to wear them?

The Cooter Study out of Australia, showed that full face helmets, with rigid face guards actually had a significantly higher rate of fatal skull fractures and brain stem injuries.  Yet we are still mandated to wear them?

Even helmet manufacturers have stated that in a crash, if your head doesn't impact something, the extra weight of the helmet can cause neck injury.  Yet we are still mandated to wear them?

The Goldstein Study, has shown that as impact speeds rise above 13.4 mph, there is a marked increase in the risk of severe neck injury.  Yet we are still mandated to wear them?

Think about it.  Wouldn't you prefer to be able to choose for yourself whether your life was worth the risk of wearing a helmet?

Catch you on the road sometime...