Seatbelt law vs. motorcycle helmet law?

Question

In Indiana, why do I need a seatbelt while driving or riding in a car, but when I ride my motorcycle, a helmet is not required? To me, that makes no sense. I'm much more protected in my car, where I need a seatbelt, but when there's nothing between me and the road on my cycle, a helmet is optional. Personally, I think if you're over 25, you should be able to make your own decision about seatbelts or helmets. If I'm traveling on the highway on my motorcycle, the chances of me surviving a crash, with or without a helmet, are pretty slim. What does everyone else think?

Answer 1

If you make a sudden maneuver, lose control and wipe out your bike, you'll usually only kill yourself.  In a car you'll probably take a bunch of people with you. Besides they realize that if they don't require the adults to buckle up there's no way the kids are going to do it. I believe in helmets and believe it's stupid to ride without one. Unfortunately too many motorcylists are cretins, to begin with, who can't realize that the head is about as fragile as a watermelon. Texas repealed their helmet law several years back because the cretins cried so hard. Texas did put qualifiers on it. First you have to be over 17 and secondly if you wind up with brain injuries and your family can't afford to pay to keep you on life support the machine gets unplugged. Becoming a ward of the state is NOT an option.

Answer 2

Same hypocrisy in Maine.

It makes no sense what so ever.

Either mandate safety in a logical way, or don't mandate it at all.

Answer 3

If you're on the highway in a car and wreck, that seat belt can mean the difference between walking away and being carried away in a body bag.  A helmet is a good idea, it will prevent some serious head injuries, though I'm not sure about a wreck on the highway.  A few years ago there was a moron doing a backwards wheelie (on the front wheel rather than the back wheel) on his cycle while doing about 85 mph on the freeway.  What a moron.  I'm sure he has long since passed his expiration date...