Breaking: Ben Roethlisberger in motorcycle accident... no helmet?

[Dis]

Originally posted by DanS
The use of a helmet is compulsory in the States as well... Yet if somebody's shooting for the Darwin, the law can't save them...

depends on which state it's in.

[asleepathewheel]

Indiana repealed their helmet law a few years ago. :shakeshead:

[-Jrabbit]

Originally posted by Arrian
Not in PA, apparently. And if I had to guess, I'd guess that it's optional in New Hampshire (of "Live free or die!" fame... err, live free and die?) too.

-Arrian

I always took the "Live Free of Die" motto as more of a threat...

...and no, NH does not have a mandatory helmet law.

[Dis]

Nevada has a mandatory helmet law. But they don't require full head helmest. A lot of Harley riders just wear those little helmet cap (that's what I call them- I don't know the official name of them).

here's a picture of one. They offer limited protection obviously. Though as hot as it gets here, I can't blame people for not wearing the full head helmets. Plus chicks can't get a good look at you when you wear those.

[MRT144]

why does he wear a football helmet on the field?

[Dis]

because he has to?

Are there still any hockey players out there who don't wear helmets?

[Asher]

I think helmets are required now in the NHL.

There's an ongoing controversy regarding requiring visors in addition to helmets, now.

[SlowwHand]

That's a half helmet, Dis. Sufficient.

Roethlisberger breaks jaw, nose in motorcycle crash

04:47 PM CDT on Monday, June 12, 2006
Associated Press



PITTSBURGH -- Steelers star Ben Roethlisberger, the youngest quarterback to lead a team to the Super Bowl championship, broke his jaw and nose in a motorcycle crash Monday in which he was not wearing a helmet.

Roethlisberger was in serious but stable condition Monday afternoon, Dr. Larry Jones, chief of trauma at Mercy Hospital said before surgery.

The player's agent, Leigh Steinberg, described the injuries to The Associated Press and said he did not know if there was further damage.

"He was talking to me before he left for the operating room," Jones said. "He's coherent. He's making sense. He knows what happened. He knows where he is. From that standpoint, he's very stable."

Steelers president Art Rooney said the team was "encouraged by the early reports from the medical team" at the hospital. "I am sure Ben knows that we are praying for his complete recovery."

Roethlisberger, 24, was without a helmet, police said. He has said he likes to ride without one, a habit that once prompted a lecture from Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher.

Roethlisberger was between radio interviews and on his black 2005 Suzuki Hayabusa - large, racing-style bike - and heading toward an intersection on the edge of downtown. A silver Chrysler New Yorker traveling in the opposite direction took a left turn and collided with the motorcycle, and Roethlisberger was thrown, police said.

The other car was driven by a 62-year-old woman, police said. They didn't immediately release her name and no charges were filed.

Witness Sandra Ford was waiting at a bus stop when she said she saw the motorcycle approach. Seconds later, she said she heard a crash, saw the motorcyclist in the air and ran toward the crash scene.

"He wasn't moving and I was afraid that he had died. ... He wasn't really speaking. He seemed dazed but he was resisting the effort to make him stay down," said Ford, who didn't realize the motorcyclist was Roethlisberger.

Police spokesman Lt. Kevin Kraus said police and homicide units were leading the investigation, a standard practice when there is an accident with critical injuries.

[-Jrabbit]

That bike -- the 2005 Suzuki Hayabusa -- is advertised as the world’s fastest bike for legal street riding

The Injuries:
Broken jaw
Broken left sinus cavity
9-inch laceration to back of head
Numerous ("many") lost and broken teeth
Injuries to both knees (reports differ on severity)

[Kontiki]

But at least he looked cool without a helmet on.

[Asher]

Now he'll have cool scars.

[Sikander]

He's in serious but stupid condition at a local hospital. Btw, I've known a couple of guys in their 20s who were crippled for life riding motorcycles, despite wearing helmets.

[Asher]

Driving a motorcycle is stupid.
Driving a motorcycle with the proper protection is less stupid.

It's still immensely stupid.

[CerberusIV]

If you have anything inside your skull worth protecting, wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle. If not, don't. Simple as that.

[SlowwHand]

Originally posted by Asher
Driving a motorcycle is stupid.
Driving a motorcycle with the proper protection is less stupid.

It's still immensely stupid.

Get a tank and leave people alone.
Where's your opinion on bicycles? Airplanes? Walking?
Yes, no helmet is a sign of retardation, or the approach of it; but the next problem is arrogant dumbasses in vehicles who pay no attention to their surroundings.
I'm betting you fit the criteria.