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The Vietnamese used to hate motorcycle helmets. They called them "rice cookers"—hot and heavy on the head. They were not fans of helmet hair. In a nation of 26 million motorbikes, maybe one in three riders buckled in. That was before a December 2007 law levied fines of up to $12 on helmetless heads. Today most adult riders are helmeted; traffic fatalities fell by 1,400 in the first year of enforcement. Tran Le Tra, 37, of Hanoi, misses the wind in his hair but admits, "I feel safer."
Children aren't safer. Tucked between mom and dad, many ride bareheaded. Rumors have spread that helmet straps can harm young necks, says Jean-Marc Olivé, a World Health Organization representative. The law can’t touch negligent parents or kids under 16. WHO and the Asia Injury Prevention Foundation hope to help the government close loopholes—and change mind-sets. —Marc Silver
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Jul 22, 2009 9PM #
I've been riding for 27 years, almost always with a helmet. Do they help? Try getting a big stick and have someone hit you over your helmeted head. Now try it without the helmet. Of course they help protect the vital and delicate brain. The down side is in the brain itself. Many riders feel safer taking bigger risks when they are wearing their helmet than they would when they know they are unprotected. Changing the mindset is extremely important. Helmets save lives, but not near as many as an educated brain that lets us know that a hard body shot can take our life just as quickly. Education, training, and then more training and education should do the trick. Helmet law? Can anyone really outlaw stupidity? Get educated, get trained, ride like you are smart-and invisible.
Barry Barbas
Sarasota Florida USA
Jul 22, 2009 9PM #
..,looks so cool... i love helmets.... it has save my life once...
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