Tom_H
Veteran Member
O.K. I concede right now that most of you are laughing yourselves silly before reading any further than the title. I have to admit, on first thought it seems nuts to me too.
Recently, on another thread in this forum, regarding seat belts, I asked Bird whether wearing helmets in standard street cars could improve survivability in an accident. Bird told a story of how just a cap saved his vision in a collision.
So, just a few questions to ponder. I've mulled these over and am not sure what I really think. Just wanted to see how others would react.
Stock car racers wear helmets; they also have roll cages bulit like an M1 Abrams, and everything else, but seeing the collisions they usually survive at 200 m.p.h. amazes me. Our local, rural fire station will often take the "leftovers" of vehicles involved in fatal local collisions and put them on display out in front of the fire station for local citizens to stop and examine. Personally, I think every local teenager should be required to stop and look. It really gives one something to think about. It reminds me of those times when I sit in my compact car, sandwiched between a semi and a Hummer, feeling like an anchovy in a sea of sharks.
Motorcyclists, juvenile bicyclists, and skateboarders are required to wear helmets. Lots of times I've heard bikers complain that if they're required to wear helmets, then motorists should be also. Now I'm not advocating any requirements, just thinking they could have a point in saying the rest of us don't have to follow the requirements that they do. My first thoughts are the same thing I hear my students say, "It looks so Geeky!" I've witnessed a bicycle getting hit by a car before, and I relate that story to my students, telling them that safety is more important than what your peers think. Nevertheless, when I mulled over what the Harley riders say, I found myself thinking exactly what the little kids say, "But it would look so Geeky!"
I Googled around all over the web and looked at differing styles, types of construction, and type impact designed for: batting, football, stock car racing, hockey, cycling, skateboarding, motorcycle, climbing/caving, kayaking, etc. Well, football helmets would look bizarre. And Bird, is my guess correct that if I wore a NASCAR or motorcycle helment in a street vehicle that the police may well pull me over just to ask what I'm up to? A baseball batting helmet would look the most like a ball cap and possibly draw the least attention (but the visor would be a hazard). A bicycle helmet would look strange and is designed to absorb one single impact and crack, not exactly what happens when a car rolls several times. The thing I thought was the best compromise of looks and function was a skateboard helmet.
So, here are my questions:
How many of you think I am absolutely certifiable?
If you saw someone in a street vehicle wearing a helmet, would you laugh at the person for looking nerdy? Would you call the COPs?
After thinking it over for a bit, would you have any admiration for the person for not caring what others think and for having the guts to take an action to increase safety?
Do you think wearing a helmet would increase a motorist's safety at all? If so, to what degree?
IF, someone DID decide to wear a helmet in a car, what do you think would be the best type (I'm guessing NASCAR) in terms of function, but also do you think it would be reasonable to sacrifice some degree of safety for something that looks more socially acceptable (batting helmet)?
How many of you are still doubled over with laughter? Is there anybody who thinks I'm NOT totally nuts??
Recently, on another thread in this forum, regarding seat belts, I asked Bird whether wearing helmets in standard street cars could improve survivability in an accident. Bird told a story of how just a cap saved his vision in a collision.
So, just a few questions to ponder. I've mulled these over and am not sure what I really think. Just wanted to see how others would react.
Stock car racers wear helmets; they also have roll cages bulit like an M1 Abrams, and everything else, but seeing the collisions they usually survive at 200 m.p.h. amazes me. Our local, rural fire station will often take the "leftovers" of vehicles involved in fatal local collisions and put them on display out in front of the fire station for local citizens to stop and examine. Personally, I think every local teenager should be required to stop and look. It really gives one something to think about. It reminds me of those times when I sit in my compact car, sandwiched between a semi and a Hummer, feeling like an anchovy in a sea of sharks.
Motorcyclists, juvenile bicyclists, and skateboarders are required to wear helmets. Lots of times I've heard bikers complain that if they're required to wear helmets, then motorists should be also. Now I'm not advocating any requirements, just thinking they could have a point in saying the rest of us don't have to follow the requirements that they do. My first thoughts are the same thing I hear my students say, "It looks so Geeky!" I've witnessed a bicycle getting hit by a car before, and I relate that story to my students, telling them that safety is more important than what your peers think. Nevertheless, when I mulled over what the Harley riders say, I found myself thinking exactly what the little kids say, "But it would look so Geeky!"
I Googled around all over the web and looked at differing styles, types of construction, and type impact designed for: batting, football, stock car racing, hockey, cycling, skateboarding, motorcycle, climbing/caving, kayaking, etc. Well, football helmets would look bizarre. And Bird, is my guess correct that if I wore a NASCAR or motorcycle helment in a street vehicle that the police may well pull me over just to ask what I'm up to? A baseball batting helmet would look the most like a ball cap and possibly draw the least attention (but the visor would be a hazard). A bicycle helmet would look strange and is designed to absorb one single impact and crack, not exactly what happens when a car rolls several times. The thing I thought was the best compromise of looks and function was a skateboard helmet.
So, here are my questions:
How many of you think I am absolutely certifiable?
If you saw someone in a street vehicle wearing a helmet, would you laugh at the person for looking nerdy? Would you call the COPs?
After thinking it over for a bit, would you have any admiration for the person for not caring what others think and for having the guts to take an action to increase safety?
Do you think wearing a helmet would increase a motorist's safety at all? If so, to what degree?
IF, someone DID decide to wear a helmet in a car, what do you think would be the best type (I'm guessing NASCAR) in terms of function, but also do you think it would be reasonable to sacrifice some degree of safety for something that looks more socially acceptable (batting helmet)?
How many of you are still doubled over with laughter? Is there anybody who thinks I'm NOT totally nuts??
Last edited:
