Motorcycle helmets

[mortiboy]

There has been much debate about" Tea money" collection for police not wearing helmets.
But there is a method to their madness.
My wife had a motorcycle accident last week.She just received cuts and abrasions. But If she did'nt wear a helmet,she would not be around now!
Here is her helmet!

[Guns482]

You see they do work, not the adults I worry about it is the small chidren who get badly hurt.

[aznyron]

I would not leave the parking lot with out my helmet on but my bike riding days are over after my last accident these M/F don't understand what the lights are for on the bike. if they want to kill them selfs that OK by me but don't take innocent riders with you or pedestrians

[tigerryan]

Morti, wow scary stuff (if they would just cover those damn plastic helmets with some bald pasty white skin you could have saved it:).

I put a pretty impressive ding into a windscreen pillar a few years ago with my bare mellon and it was a life changing event. I still in a pinch ride around without a bucket but I do so with great fear and caution. I hate laws but I like helmets.

[Pakawala]

My helmet is like my American Express Card... I never leave home without it.

[Ricohoc]

I always wear the bucket -- full face.

Here's a hint: Buy one that you like, and you'll find you'll wear it more often.

[wazza]

I stopped off at the fatal accident the other night in Udon to volunteer my services etc.

This was a motorcycle accident in the city at low speed and they were hit by a car.

Tragically 1 patient died at the scene , from severe head injuries. he did have other survivable injuries ( Multiple limb fractures )

2nd patient has a critical head injury which will also lead to a secondry brain injury and no doubt is only 50% chance of surviving and having very little positive outcome.

Why are they in this position, - simple , they were not wearing helmets.

A very tragic loss of life for 1 young male and a poor outcome for his mate.

[38nholding]

Yes but you will notice that most people riding motorcycles today have the most well protected elbows in the world.

[Ricohoc]

The thing that amazes me is that the ones who are wearing helmets, dont' fasten them.

I witnessed two flipping over the front of their bike near the complex about two weeks ago one night, and their helmets flew off of their heads before they even hit the ground.

As you pointed out, wazza, it's senseless.

[pompui]

The bib should be out everyday of the year 7/9am for the kids to school mainly and then 3/5pm for them again and the other thais until finally thais understand that it will save their lives and the dislike because it makes them hot can never be used as an excuse.

But if the thai knows a bib within the extended family then they just go and collect their licence at the station without paying each time.

[thrilled]

I was fined I believe 300 bht last october on Wattana Nuwong rd for not wearing it.

[papaguido]

I was fined I believe 300 bht last october on Wattana Nuwong rd for not wearing it.

and that's why I wear a helmet, even as much as I hate wearing one I'd rather spend my baht on something else rather than donating to the BIB fund.

[sgt]

Most of the helmets I have seen, including the ones used by me, wife, kids don't give me any confidence. I am bringing my Snell approved helmet when I come back in a couple of weeks. My drag racing days are done here and at least it doesn't leave a red spot on my forehead.

Just a side about the BiB, my wife used to joke about me having to wear helmet because "Thai police only ticket farang hee, hee, hee". One morning she jumped up and made a quick run to the market, leaving helmet behind because "only farang get ticket". The ticket was 200bht, the expression on her face, priceless. I kept mouth zipped for at least 2 minutes, ok, ok 1 minute.

[silmaj]

I am not usually inclined to comment on subjects on Udon Map I am here to enjoy a long and happy retirement.
However as a former advanced motorcycle instructor I am moved to add a few comments.
Bonedooms, buckets, or helmets by any name save lives it is proven and there is no doubt.
The number of small motorcycles on the roads of Thailand would suggest that the strictest reinforcement of the law is nedeed and probably within the context of road traffic policing here this is being done however it seems to me not to work simply because the people find any excuse not to wear one ( too hot, spoils my hair,or just simply the Thai way of ignoring the law ).
The education should start in schools you go to school on a motorcycle no helmet no motorcycle. Role models should be encouraged to promote the use of helmets and maybe some thought given to design and colour to present a cool image. I have noticed that Thai students excel in international competition using technology what a an opportunity for a College to design a life saving bit of kit that saves lives and contributes to the well being of most Thais. In addition in a recent promotional event by a prominent Motorcycle manufacturer in Udon, the use of helmets was mandatory before the predominantly young male riders could race round the track. Efforts by those responsible manufacturers should be made to promote the use of helmets on the road not just by supplying one on the purchase of a motorcycle but actively using the opportunity to encourage use.
Finally ( thank God I hear you say ). it would seem that at a much higher level the promotion of road safety through an organisation similar to The Insititute of Advanced Motorists ( a Registered Charity in the UK and endorsed by the Royal Family ) who also promote advanced training for motorcyclists might be cosidered as an option as a conduit for the start of change. I know the cynical response would be it would never work in Thailand but a subject that generates such a volume of comment needs to addressed positively not by resorting to accepting what has always been.
So much could be done don,t knock it.

[BKKSTAN]

It is amazing how ''uncool'' it is for teenagers to wear helmuts My daughters school chums all have M/B's or are passengers on M/B's going to school,none wear helmuts although a couple have them in their basket.

Given the choice of being a ''passenger'' with one of her buddies,her preferred choice,but having to wear a helmut,she chose to pass.

Given the choice of having a new M/B,but having to wear a helmut,she decided that she didn't need one!

If The police were serious about getting everyone to wear helmuts,They could simply post themselves at the school gates.Obviously that is not their objective

[aznyron]

Stan kids will be kids or are you to old to remember they will do what they want you & I could talk our selfs in to early grave & they will not listen

[Aardvark]

Too true Ron. Teenager = Risk = Invincible..... if only they understood the Heart break they would cause should something happen to them

[arjay]

They really don't realise how vulnerable their heads are. I've got dents in my head, and suffer from a lot of backache, as a result of riding a bicycle into the back of a parked lorry, when I was about 10 years old. (And yes, I've never been the same since! ). It doesn't require legislation to make me wear a helmet. Quite the opposite. They'd have to use force to take it off me!

There was a good advertising campaign on the TV in the UK some years back, to promote road safety, - showing a hammer hitting an egg! Quite effective.

[douglas]

Hi,
Daughter had accident on m/b and spent 4 day in hospital with head injuries, yes helmet was over handlebars not on her head. I thought this would teach her a lesson she was 18. You guessed, still goes without a helmet. Puts it on leaving house but when out of sight it goes on handlebars. I spoke to her mother and all i got was "she's my daughter and not yours" This was yesterday so i think i will have to review the situation between us.
Cheers Doug.

[douglas]

Hi,
Forgot, aznyron. No good talking to kids but if they were mine and did this they would not get to use the bike. Would you give a baby a loaded gun to play with.
Cheers Doug.