FeedsReplying to a comment on Freedom or Safety- Where Do We Draw the Line?
I think there are a few points here. First of all, I have a real problem with government making laws like this. I wholeheartedly agree that it is downright stupid not to wear a helmet or a seat belt, but I see no reason for the government to require them either. You mention that you have a hard time finding sympathy for people being forced to wear a helmet. My lack of sympathy is for those who get hurt because they weren't wearing one. But just because it is easy and smart to do doesn't mean that the government should feel the need to regulate it. I could probably ramble on about this for awhile, but I'll leave that part there.
The other point I wanted to mention, mostly just because it's interesting, is that there is some very compelling evidence that things like seat belts and airbags (and probably helmets for cyclists as well, though I haven't read that literature) actually make things MORE dangerous, because people are not as careful when driving. I can't find a link right now, but I was just reading about an experiment (in Denmark, I think, but I'm probably wrong), where the local government removed the vast majority of road signs in order to encourage attentive driving. Anyway, a bit of food for thought.
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