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This Liberal govt can't get enough of controlling your behaviour
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| Jayx1 |
I can understand mandatory helmet laws for kids who can't make that choice on their own. Mandatory laws for adults however smacks of big brotherism. As an adult i should be allowed to decide for myself whether or not I want to wear a helmet for MY OWN SAFETY.
And don't even argue healthcare here because my response will be don't have sex because i dont want to pay for your aids.
For the record, even though i insist on using one, I am also against mandatory seatbelt usage laws for adults. It should be your decision, not the government's whether or not you wish to fly out the front window on impact.
| quote: | If you like to skateboard, ride a bicycle or roll on in-line skates, this could make you flip your lid – literally.
The Ontario government is close to passing an amendment to the Highway Traffic Act that will make it mandatory for anyone undertaking any of those pastimes to wear a helmet.
And unlike current laws regarding bikes, it won’t matter how old you are. Everyone, regardless of age, will be required to don the protective gear.
The proposed change comes from Kitchener Liberal MPP John Milloy, and is one of those rare private member’s bills that may actually become law. He explains studies have proven that helmets reduce the incidence of head injuries by as much as 85 percent.
"If we can create a culture where you wouldn't think of going bicycling or skateboarding or in-line skating without wearing a helmet, I think we would have achieved success,” he muses.
And the Canadian Brain Injury Association insists this debate is similar to the one over the forced use of seatbelts – a law that some drivers hate, but has been proven to save lives.
The bill, which was given second reading on Thursday, seems more than likely to pass. It’s one of the few pending laws that almost everyone in the Legislature seems to agree with.
But riders like Brad Tapley (top left) aren’t crazy about the prospect of losing their power to decide for themselves. “I wouldn't have a choice, would I?” he asks. “I don't like the look of them so much. If they had really stylish-looking helmets, maybe I'd go for that.”
That kind of attitude infuriates N.D.P. MPP Michael Prue. He lost his brother to a bike accident in 1998.
“There isn't a day goes by that I don't see someone on the streets of Toronto, an adult, with no helmet on their head, and I want to … grab them and I want to shake them,” he reflects. “I want to tell them that this was an absolutely wrong thing, a bad thing to happen."
Ontario Bike Helmet Law
The new rules, if they pass, will be far different from the ones currently surrounding cyclists. Under those regulations, which came into effect in October 1995, people under 18 are required to put on the lid by law.
But it’s up to adults if they want to add the hard headed protection to their own noggins.
Parents with kids under 16 can be fined $75 if they let their kids go out on the roads without the proper coverage. Teens between the ages of 16 and 17 will be on the hook for their own fines if they’re caught with an uncovered head.
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| RobbyG. |
| Well I'm with the Liberals on this one Jayx...If I'm paying my taxes for health care (which has gone up thanx to Maguinty:mad: ), and you ride your bike without a helemt & fall off & crack your noodle wide open then YOU can pay for your medical bills...I think after the numerous bike fatalities that have been on the news lately, the Liberals wanted to pass a mandatory helmet law to maybe curb some of these people getting killed... |
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| girllovingtvibe |
| quote: | Originally posted by RobbyG.
Well I'm with the Liberals on this one Jayx...If I'm paying my taxes for health care (which has gone up thanx to Maguinty:mad: ), and you ride your bike without a helemt & fall off & crack your noodle wide open then YOU can pay for your medical bills...I think after the numerous bike fatalities that have been on the news lately, the Liberals wanted to pass a mandatory helmet law to maybe curb some of these people getting killed... |
I concur as well. It is not hurting anyone to have to wear a helmet and it is not like you have to break habit to do so. |
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| Jayx1 |
| quote: | Originally posted by RobbyG.
Well I'm with the Liberals on this one Jayx...If I'm paying my taxes for health care (which has gone up thanx to Maguinty:mad: ), and you ride your bike without a helemt & fall off & crack your noodle wide open then YOU can pay for your medical bills...I think after the numerous bike fatalities that have been on the news lately, the Liberals wanted to pass a mandatory helmet law to maybe curb some of these people getting killed... |
Like i said dude, you better not be having sex without condoms because if you get Aids i dont want to pay for it. YOU should pay for it. You see how flawed this line of reasoning is?
Try again. |
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| Jayx1 |
| quote: | Originally posted by girllovingtvibe
I concur as well. It is not hurting anyone to have to wear a helmet and it is not like you have to break habit to do so. |
It doesnt hurt anyone other than yourself if you dont wear one. Dont i have the right to decide for myself what kind of risk i wish to take as long as im not hurting others? I moved out to get away from my parents thank you. |
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| girllovingtvibe |
| quote: | Originally posted by Jayx1
It doesnt hurt anyone other than yourself if you dont wear one. Dont i have the right to decide for myself what kind of risk i wish to take as long as im not hurting others? I moved out to get away from my parents thank you. |
Unfortunately that is where you are wrong in thinking that not wearing a helmet does not hurt anyone but yourself. Say per chance you do get in accident and have a head injury or die. IT THEN does hurt others! Think of your family/friends who then have to worry about your future/or non future i.e. looking after a head injury patient - recovery etc.
Both sides for this can be argued on this one. It is tough to draw a line - so where do you draw it? |
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| girllovingtvibe |
| quote: | Originally posted by Jayx1
Like i said dude, you better not be having sex without condoms because if you get Aids i dont want to pay for it. YOU should pay for it. You see how flawed this line of reasoning is?
Try again. |
but this is not something you can prove. i mean you can't prove if someone was wearing or not wearing a condom. you can however, proove someone was or was not wearing a helmet. |
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| Jayx1 |
| quote: | Originally posted by girllovingtvibe
Unfortunately that is where you are wrong in thinking that not wearing a helmet does not hurt anyone but yourself. Say per chance you do get in accident and have a head injury or die. IT THEN does hurt others! Think of your family/friends who then have to worry about your future/or non future i.e. looking after a head injury patient - recovery etc.
Both sides for this can be argued on this one. It is tough to draw a line - so where do you draw it? |
I draw the line at letting ADULTS decide whether or not they wish to wear a helmet. ADULTS should be able to understand consequences if they do not. Note the capped word ADULTS here. I don't need the government acting like my parent at every drop of a hat. |
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| Jayx1 |
| quote: | Originally posted by girllovingtvibe
but this is not something you can prove. i mean you can't prove if someone was wearing or not wearing a condom. you can however, proove someone was or was not wearing a helmet. |
I think you are missing the point. If people are going to use healthcare as a means of controlling behaviour the possibilities are endless in what they can legislate. |
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| girllovingtvibe |
| quote: | Originally posted by Jayx1
I draw the line at letting ADULTS decide whether or not they wish to wear a helmet. ADULTS should be able to understand consequences if they do not. Note the capped word ADULTS here. I don't need the government acting like my parent at every drop of a hat. |
Would you let an ADULT get away with murder because they are an ADULT? just curious...not trying to be heated or anything...You are right that ADULTS should be able to understand the consequences. However, that is just not the case with many ADULTS i.e. look at all the alcohol ADULT related driving deaths. Just because your an ADULT does not make you smarter than a CHILD. |
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| Skipper |
| quote: | Originally posted by Jayx1
Like i said dude, you better not be having sex without condoms because if you get Aids i dont want to pay for it. YOU should pay for it. You see how flawed this line of reasoning is?
Try again. |
Helmets dont prevent injuries though, and condoms don't prevent aids. Both lower the risk, but don't prevent. The government is in a reasonable position enforcing this to lower health care costs.
Seatbelts are law, why shouldn't helmets be? |
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