“I Don’t Like Wearing a Helmet” Ads Hit Home
As many of you know I’m a major proponent of all things safety when it comes to motorcycles, but I’ve got to admit that even I was shocked and taken back a bit when I saw these ads from the Asia Injury Prevention Foundation, which apparently ran in Vietnam. They’re powerful, they’re gritty and they’re real. Very real. The folks who came up with these ads deserve some big props…
It’s a shame that this sort of heavy hitting ad campaign could and would never fly here in The States. I’m all for personal freedoms and I fully understand the subtext, if not the rational, behind the argument put forth by folks who don’t want to wear a helmet — but this is one of those cases where the evidence is so clear cut — if you wear a helmet and crash odds are you survive, if you don’t wear odds are you won’t — that I find it hard to understand from a logical point of view (as opposed to an emotional one) how we can continue to justify not having a Federal Helmet Law. If the government could force every automotive manufacturer to install seat belts, surely they can mandate that all riders wear helmets.
I’d encourage any readers interested in reading more to check out Vanessa Ruiz’s Street Anatomy Blog, which has a full breakdown and detailed coverage of the AIPF Ad campaign… (And a link to the organization’s TV spot to boot)…
Originally picked up via The Ducati Monster List.
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It makes sense for Vietnam to run these ads because ALL injuries are paid with public money.
In the USA, the majority of motorcycle accidents are liability cases, meaning that another party is responsible for compensation. If that party does not have insurance, then the injured rider’s uninsured/underinsured policy takes over. If not a liability case, then the injured rider’s health insurance policy takes over. It’s very rare for motorcycle accidents to become absorbed by the state.
That’s why it’s a personal freedom issue in the USA.
ALL bikers agree with you that a helmet will reduce the severity of an injury, but very few will agree that it will prevent an injury. Many bikers point to evidence that it actually exacerbates neck injuries, which is actually the larger cause of death and permanent disability.
Believe it or not, there’s actually a trend taking place in smaller cities throughout Europe. They’re removing all the street signs, striping, and repaving the roads with cobblestones. By removing these, it forces drivers to drive more carefully. In the face of chaos, motorists become more aware of what’s happening, and accidents have come down.
That’s the problem with helmet laws, seat belt laws, cell phone laws. They make people comfortable, and stupid.
I have no problem with helmet laws but a person should have the choice to wear or no to wear . Now me, like wearing a helmet and I feel better riding with one.
A good rider knows his or her limits and will use what they think is appropriate for the ride. Well at least I will
>>It makes sense for Vietnam to run these ads because ALL injuries are paid with public money.
Not at all. In Vietnam if you have no money the hospital will not do anything for you. You also can’t go to school unless you pay. Two of the strangest “Communist” facts I’ve found while living in Vietnam.
These posters are around town, but they are in English with only a line of Vietnamese at the bottom. How dumb can an advocacy group get?
Earlier someone said, “In the USA, the majority of motorcycle accidents are liability cases, meaning that another party is responsible for compensation.”
Sure, that’s absolutely true.. on the surface. Just remember that in the cases where the expenses go on the rider’s health insurance and/or uninsured/underinsured policy, the insurance company has to absorb that expense somehow. Do you know how they do that? They have to raise premiums. This isn’t necessarily because insurance companies are doing something bad, it’s because they are in the business to make money and to have enough money reserved to cover claims. That means that you and I end up paying more money even if it’s not for “public” health care. So in the end, whether the state picks up the tab or not, everyone else ends up paying because someone was too dumb to put on a helmet. I for one find that unacceptable.
They’re good ads. They bring reality to the situation and makes people consider the consequences of their actions. Though the ads would never fly here, Americans don’t like to contemplate accountability and responsibility.
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