Why Don't We Wear Helmets in Cars?
As the Great Thanksgiving Migration approaches, I've got driving on the mind, which kind of nudged something I've been percolating on for some time: Why don't we wear helmets when riding in cars?
Yes, I know it's just a bike helmet.
This is not a new musing; people have tried marketing car helmets for kids. (The thin end of the wedge?)
It also comes up whenever there's a debate about motorcycle helmet laws -- the "let the riders decide" crowd brings it up, and the pro-regulation folks either ignore it or dismiss it as a reducing the argument to absurdity.
Of course, the very idea gets wrapped up in issues of societal costs vs. personal responsibility and freedom, and is invariable accompanied by such terms as "nanny state" and "bubble-wrapping the world."
Do we even need helmets in cars? You could rationalize not needing them lots of ways:
* Inside a car, your head isn't as exposed as while on a motorcycle (But it's to prevent your head from banging around inside -- that's why fighter pilots wear them. But what about airline pilots? Hrm.)
* The safety systems inside cars already protect the head in many ways -- padded interiors, head rests, seat belts, and particularly air bags (though what about before they were available?)
* Helmets cut down on visibility and hearing (but isn't that also considered and dismissed for motorcyclists?)
But then you look at race car drivers. Even autocross drivers, many of whom drive (mostly) regular cars, use helmets on the course.
I don't know if there have been every been any studies about the benefits of helmet use in regular driving -- I would assume it'd be so unpopular that even a study would be a non-starter.
It basically comes down to the fact that most folks (myself included) just wouldn't want to wear a helmet inside a car. Ever.
Helmet laws for motorcyclists? Sure -- comparatively few people ride motorcycles, and if someone else has to do something that benefits society, we're all for it. Right?
Now, I don't think I'm turning libertarian; I don't plan on driving with a helmet anytime soon; and I do still think that mandatory helmet laws for bicyclists and motorcyclists are a good idea. I just wanted to think a little bit about why we think what we think.
Oops, forgot to put on the seat belt.
Yes, I know it's just a bike helmet.
This is not a new musing; people have tried marketing car helmets for kids. (The thin end of the wedge?)
It also comes up whenever there's a debate about motorcycle helmet laws -- the "let the riders decide" crowd brings it up, and the pro-regulation folks either ignore it or dismiss it as a reducing the argument to absurdity.
Of course, the very idea gets wrapped up in issues of societal costs vs. personal responsibility and freedom, and is invariable accompanied by such terms as "nanny state" and "bubble-wrapping the world."
Do we even need helmets in cars? You could rationalize not needing them lots of ways:
* Inside a car, your head isn't as exposed as while on a motorcycle (But it's to prevent your head from banging around inside -- that's why fighter pilots wear them. But what about airline pilots? Hrm.)
* The safety systems inside cars already protect the head in many ways -- padded interiors, head rests, seat belts, and particularly air bags (though what about before they were available?)
* Helmets cut down on visibility and hearing (but isn't that also considered and dismissed for motorcyclists?)
But then you look at race car drivers. Even autocross drivers, many of whom drive (mostly) regular cars, use helmets on the course.
I don't know if there have been every been any studies about the benefits of helmet use in regular driving -- I would assume it'd be so unpopular that even a study would be a non-starter.
It basically comes down to the fact that most folks (myself included) just wouldn't want to wear a helmet inside a car. Ever.
Helmet laws for motorcyclists? Sure -- comparatively few people ride motorcycles, and if someone else has to do something that benefits society, we're all for it. Right?
Now, I don't think I'm turning libertarian; I don't plan on driving with a helmet anytime soon; and I do still think that mandatory helmet laws for bicyclists and motorcyclists are a good idea. I just wanted to think a little bit about why we think what we think.
Oops, forgot to put on the seat belt.
Labels: driving, dumb things
posted by Joelogon at
11/19/2007
Social Bookmark Link Creator
7 Comments:
I ride a motorcycle and I firmly believe in helmets. I have also worked in the ER and that alone made me believe in them. I mean a real helmet not the fake ones some try to get away with. A DOT approved one.
By
Celeste, At
11/19/2007 11:32 PM
I used to wear a helmet on off-roading adventures in my old Jeep, but I really can't see wearing one while driving. That's a little weird since head and face injuries are pretty common in car crashes, and you'd think it would make sense to wear a helmet while driving.
You should take a video camera with you and drive around with a helmet on just to see what kind of odd looks you get.
By
Dan, At
11/19/2007 11:43 PM
Nice helmet. :)
By
nutmeg96, At
11/19/2007 11:44 PM
the photos MAKE this post... I dare ya to spend an entire day driving around like that and THEN come back and blog about it... he he he
By
charlotteharris, At
11/20/2007 2:01 PM
I ride a motorcycle and always wear a helmet, but I am completely against laws that infringe on a person's right to do whatever he or she wants with his or her body. Nobody should be forced to wear a helmet on their motorcycle… but insurance companies should be allowed to charge more for people who don't.
By
SRG, At
12/21/2007 10:44 PM
What if the insurance provider gave you a discount for sporting their helmet (thats cool looking on a socially except-able level) while driving. The number one cause of death and injury in a car crash is caused by TBI (traumatic brain injury). Insurance companies would be able to cut their expenses.
By
Anonymous, At
3/02/2008 1:29 AM
I have to say, I have seriously considered wearing a helmet, neck brace, and thin kevlar jacket while going on extended highway trips. Why?
1) 40,000 deaths and 2 million auto injuries per year in the US. These include injuries where you are in a wheelchair for life, get permanently disfigured, the windshield glass cuts up your face, etc.
2) Racecar drivers wear them.
3) Only highway speeds are high enough for a fatality. City driving at 35 mph is generally not fast enough for a fatality.
4) The Kevlar jacket looks like a normal jacket anyway.
Why not?
1) No one does it, and it looks funny. So what?
So, on balance, I think the safety outweighs the embarassment. I think I will seriously consider doing it for long highway road trips (a few times a year).
A helmet with a face guard is valuable, as far too many people get glass fragments in their eyes and face, and are thus blinded and disfigured for life.
By
Anonymous, At
8/07/2008 11:10 PM
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home