Ban motorcycles!!!

L8 Braker · 06-21-2011, 09:12 PM

Full story in link below...

Auto Erotica: It's time to ban the motorcycle - Sun-Sentinel.com

Auto Erotica: It's time to ban the motorcycle
There, I said it. It needed to be said.

What if I were to tell you that the fatality rate for those of us who drive a car or truck is 14 out of every 100,000 drivers? That’s a distressing statistic but it’s far below what it once was.

Now, what if I were to tell you that there’s a vehicle on the road today that increases your chances of being killed while driving it by more than 500 percent, producing an average of 72 fatalities for every 100,000 users?

That vehicle would represent a pretty silly and dangerous way to get around, don’t you think? But wait — there’s more. What if this vehicle produced 11 percent of all driving fatalities, effectively erasing gains made from years of declining motor-vehicle deaths? Would you want to drive that vehicle? Would you want your loved ones to drive it?

Surprisingly, registrations for this vehicle increased by more than 63 percent from 1997 to 2005, with the fatalities that resulted rising at a disproportionately high rate.

Add to all that the fact that this vehicle can emit 10 to 20 times the quantity of nitrogen oxide than standard automobiles because so many of these vehicles don’t require a catalytic converter. In some states, they don’t even require insurance.

This deathtrap, of course, is the motorcycle, and it’s time for the grownups to take a stand and say enough is enough.

The above statistics come from a U.S. Department of Transportation study released in October 2007 entitled, “Action Plan To Reduce Motorcycle Fatalities.” Ironically, the welcome page is from then-U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters, who talks about breaking her collarbone while riding one.

I’m not a motorcyclist. What, then, gives me the right to call for the end of what many millions of Americans love to do? Well, first, there is the emotional factor. A friend’s older brother — only in his early 20s — was killed in a head-on collision. Another friend’s father shattered his leg going around a curve. A few weeks ago, a friend was hit by a car and suffered a puncturedlung and a partially collapsed lung, two shattered vertebra, a broken scapula and clavicle, fivebroken ribs — some in multiple places — and has lost feeling in his lower back and left leg. He’s 23.

Then, there’s the economic impact that motorcycle crashes have on you and me. The cost to us all in terms of increased health-insurance costs — if not direct taxpayer costs — to cover those people injured in and by motorcycle accidents who can’t afford to pay. The increased cost of auto insurance from damage inflicted and received, not to mention untold billions in insurance payouts to motorcycle drivers. The court time taken up by accidents involving motorcycle drivers. The cost of accident-scene public services such as police and fire.

It’s good news that motorcycle fatalities dropped 24 percent in Florida in 2009, and yet, the Florida Department of Transportation estimates Floridians will still have to pay $190 million to cover unpaid costs associated with motorcycle crashes this year alone, as reported by WFTV News in Orlando.

Look at the above statistics again. If a certain model of car produced that kind of horrendous increase in deaths — 72 fatalities per 100,000 compared to the car and truck norm of 14 per 100,000 — the public would demand an instant halt to the production and sale of that flawed vehicle.

Driving is not a right — it’s a privilege, granted by us, the American people, to those deemed responsible enough to exercise that privilege. We are doing a disservice to our fellow Americans when we indulge their interests in an inherently unsafe vehicle. Maybe there was a time in the past when cars and trucks drove slowly enough or were small enough to allow the luxury of a vehicle that has no seat belt, no door or hood or metal around it. But no more.

Beyond the actual costs to taxpayers is the realization that we’re losing more than 4,300 motorcycle drivers a year nationally who would have been far more likely to survive with airbags and crumple zones around them.

And I won’t even mention the obvious stupidity of not legally requiring — or wanting — the wearing of helmets.

Perhaps it’s time for those people who have lost a loved one or friend in a motorcycle accident to stand up and ask that, at the very least, these vehicles be restricted to off-road areas and tracks. Friends try to keep friends from engaging in needless risks, and that’s what motorcycles are, even when operated by well-trained, responsible drivers.

L8 Braker · 06-21-2011, 09:14 PM

Here's the authors email if you'd like to give him your opinion of his article...

Contact Hugh Curran at kanga573@aol.com

Trip · 06-21-2011, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L8 Braker

Here's the authors email if you'd like to give him your opinion of his article...

Contact Hugh Curran at kanga573@aol.com

As soon as I can make a comment that doesn't begin and end in profanities, I will be emailing this fucker.

L8 Braker · 06-21-2011, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trip

As soon as I can make a comment that doesn't begin and end in profanities, I will be emailing this fucker.

I kept mine simple...

I could go into the countless legal things that kill people at a much higher rate than motorcycles, but it's easier just to call you a closed minded jackass. Have a nice day.

fasternyou929 · 06-21-2011, 09:45 PM

Quote:

We are doing a disservice to our fellow Americans when we indulge their interests in an inherently unsafe vehicle.

Big brother quote of the year.

Quote:

Originally Posted by L8 Braker

Here's the authors email if you'd like to give him your opinion of his article...

Contact Hugh Curran at kanga573@aol.com

I really hope nobody e-mails him, he's not worth the time. Anybody that thinks they're in the position to indulge others in their interests will not have a mind open to new ideas or facts from e-mail written by strangers.

It would be nice to see the Sun-Sentinel's subscriptions/online views plummet for them allowing such an ignorant article in their paper. I'll take that over an e-mail to a nobody-journalist any day.

Corey · 06-21-2011, 09:18 PM

Let's ban cars too. That will really make a huge impact on lowering driving related fatalities. Interesting how there's no mention of inattentive drivers in cars who are more busy paying attention to sending their text messages, eating their lunch, talking on the phone, putting on make-up, and doing all of those other things that have nothing to do with driving and everything to do with being dangerous distractions. Wouldn't want to bring in those people who have no problem turning in from of a motorcyclist because they "didn't see them". The same "privilege, not right" thinking applies to cars. Ban them too. Make people take public transportation and remove the need for them to make responsible decisions about how to drive their vehicles. The changes in the fatality rates from removing car drivers would monumentally dwarf the motorcycle riders.

azoomm · 06-21-2011, 09:32 PM

He sure has a lot of statistics. I wonder if he has the number of motorcyclists killed by car drivers?

Particle Man · 06-21-2011, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azoomm

He sure has a lot of statistics. I wonder if he has the number of motorcyclists killed by car drivers?

Exactly. Was thinking of this through the entire article.

'73 H1 Triple · 06-21-2011, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azoomm

He sure has a lot of statistics. I wonder if he has the number of motorcyclists killed by car drivers?

But that wouldn't fit his "ban the motorcycles" rant.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Let's take a look at his side ( regardless of ignorant it is ) and how to reduce motorcycle injuries/deaths.

maybe graduated licenses for ALL drivers ( 2 and 4 wheels )
New drivers are limited to lower HP and hours of operation.

Involved in an accident that was deemed "reckless" ? Move back a couple places on your license or farther reduced time allotments.

( but you know this would never work because it would require PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY --- There is too much of it's not my fault because ..... )

please excuse me for pouring gas on the fire

anthonyk · 06-22-2011, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azoomm

He sure has a lot of statistics. I wonder if he has the number of motorcyclists killed by car drivers?

Given this little tidbit by the author, I'm not sure that question matters:

Quote:

Maybe there was a time in the past when cars and trucks drove slowly enough or were small enough to allow the luxury of a vehicle that has no seat belt, no door or hood or metal around it. But no more.

To me, that sounds like he's saying we ought to stay off the roads and away from those big fast cars and trucks, if we know what's good for us.

Ah, the abdication of personal responsibility...America's new pastime. When people get out of the habit of taking responsibility for their own damn self, they can't even understand why personal choice is so important. After all, it's someone else's responsibility to make sure you make it to your deathbed intact.

06-21-2011, 09:12 PM	#1
L8 Braker Swollen Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 558	Ban motorcycles!!! Full story in link below... Auto Erotica: It's time to ban the motorcycle - Sun-Sentinel.com Auto Erotica: It's time to ban the motorcycle There, I said it. It needed to be said. What if I were to tell you that the fatality rate for those of us who drive a car or truck is 14 out of every 100,000 drivers? That’s a distressing statistic but it’s far below what it once was. Now, what if I were to tell you that there’s a vehicle on the road today that increases your chances of being killed while driving it by more than 500 percent, producing an average of 72 fatalities for every 100,000 users? That vehicle would represent a pretty silly and dangerous way to get around, don’t you think? But wait — there’s more. What if this vehicle produced 11 percent of all driving fatalities, effectively erasing gains made from years of declining motor-vehicle deaths? Would you want to drive that vehicle? Would you want your loved ones to drive it? Surprisingly, registrations for this vehicle increased by more than 63 percent from 1997 to 2005, with the fatalities that resulted rising at a disproportionately high rate. Add to all that the fact that this vehicle can emit 10 to 20 times the quantity of nitrogen oxide than standard automobiles because so many of these vehicles don’t require a catalytic converter. In some states, they don’t even require insurance. This deathtrap, of course, is the motorcycle, and it’s time for the grownups to take a stand and say enough is enough. The above statistics come from a U.S. Department of Transportation study released in October 2007 entitled, “Action Plan To Reduce Motorcycle Fatalities.” Ironically, the welcome page is from then-U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters, who talks about breaking her collarbone while riding one. I’m not a motorcyclist. What, then, gives me the right to call for the end of what many millions of Americans love to do? Well, first, there is the emotional factor. A friend’s older brother — only in his early 20s — was killed in a head-on collision. Another friend’s father shattered his leg going around a curve. A few weeks ago, a friend was hit by a car and suffered a puncturedlung and a partially collapsed lung, two shattered vertebra, a broken scapula and clavicle, fivebroken ribs — some in multiple places — and has lost feeling in his lower back and left leg. He’s 23. Then, there’s the economic impact that motorcycle crashes have on you and me. The cost to us all in terms of increased health-insurance costs — if not direct taxpayer costs — to cover those people injured in and by motorcycle accidents who can’t afford to pay. The increased cost of auto insurance from damage inflicted and received, not to mention untold billions in insurance payouts to motorcycle drivers. The court time taken up by accidents involving motorcycle drivers. The cost of accident-scene public services such as police and fire. It’s good news that motorcycle fatalities dropped 24 percent in Florida in 2009, and yet, the Florida Department of Transportation estimates Floridians will still have to pay $190 million to cover unpaid costs associated with motorcycle crashes this year alone, as reported by WFTV News in Orlando. Look at the above statistics again. If a certain model of car produced that kind of horrendous increase in deaths — 72 fatalities per 100,000 compared to the car and truck norm of 14 per 100,000 — the public would demand an instant halt to the production and sale of that flawed vehicle. Driving is not a right — it’s a privilege, granted by us, the American people, to those deemed responsible enough to exercise that privilege. We are doing a disservice to our fellow Americans when we indulge their interests in an inherently unsafe vehicle. Maybe there was a time in the past when cars and trucks drove slowly enough or were small enough to allow the luxury of a vehicle that has no seat belt, no door or hood or metal around it. But no more. Beyond the actual costs to taxpayers is the realization that we’re losing more than 4,300 motorcycle drivers a year nationally who would have been far more likely to survive with airbags and crumple zones around them. And I won’t even mention the obvious stupidity of not legally requiring — or wanting — the wearing of helmets. Perhaps it’s time for those people who have lost a loved one or friend in a motorcycle accident to stand up and ask that, at the very least, these vehicles be restricted to off-road areas and tracks. Friends try to keep friends from engaging in needless risks, and that’s what motorcycles are, even when operated by well-trained, responsible drivers.

06-21-2011, 09:18 PM	#6
Corey AMA Supersport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Florida Moto: Not a damn thing Posts: 2,612	Let's ban cars too. That will really make a huge impact on lowering driving related fatalities. Interesting how there's no mention of inattentive drivers in cars who are more busy paying attention to sending their text messages, eating their lunch, talking on the phone, putting on make-up, and doing all of those other things that have nothing to do with driving and everything to do with being dangerous distractions. Wouldn't want to bring in those people who have no problem turning in from of a motorcyclist because they "didn't see them". The same "privilege, not right" thinking applies to cars. Ban them too. Make people take public transportation and remove the need for them to make responsible decisions about how to drive their vehicles. The changes in the fatality rates from removing car drivers would monumentally dwarf the motorcycle riders. __________________ Half man, half horse, half motorcycle. All awesome. "Your game is shit, your company is shit. Activision ruined you! Activision ruined you." - Francis

06-21-2011, 09:32 PM	#7
azoomm moderator chick Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Hill Country TX Moto: Pasta Rockets Posts: 8,917	He sure has a lot of statistics. I wonder if he has the number of motorcyclists killed by car drivers? __________________ We have enough youth. How about a fountain of "smart"? Come Play at the Track!! http://www.elitetrackdays.com

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06-21-2011, 09:14 PM	#2
L8 Braker Swollen Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 558	Here's the authors email if you'd like to give him your opinion of his article... Contact Hugh Curran at kanga573@aol.com