Big Ben, Crashed!

[DRAFTSTUD]

OK, I know alot of ya'll follow Football, so here is a link to Ben's Motorcycle accident.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/accident.html

 

[noharleyyet]

Pretty serious accident. I'll bet his owner is furious.

 

[guppie9]

Why would his owner be furious...he's just a "tool".

 

[Curly]

severely injured both of his knees when he hit the ground

That can't be a good thing. I hadn't heard about his knee injuries until reading this article.

Earlier this year, Roethlisberger led the Steelers to the NFL title, giving the team the fifth Super Bowl win

I take exception to the above statement. Ben did not lead the Steelers to the superbowl win............the ref's lead the Steelers to the win.:BLEEP: |oo

Roethlisberger has said in the past that he prefers not to wear a helmet when riding his motorcycle. He has pointed out Pennsylvania's 35-year-old state law requiring helmets to be worn was amended to make helmets optional.

Pennsylvania has it right with that law. If you want to ride a motorcycle w/out a helmet....it should be your right and your decision. Roethlisberger knew the risks and he chose to not use a helmut. Maybe this accident will cause more riders to wear a helmut.

 

[noharleyyet]

No helmet usually means a closed casket service.

 

[pa mt man]

My dad told me at lunch today that he watching the local news and a reporter asked if Ben only had a expired learner's permit and the cop said "no comment". I don't ride motorbikes but I think you have to wear a helmet for a period of time even after you get your motorcycle license in Pa.

 

[fowladdict]

Pennsylvania has it right with that law. If you want to ride a motorcycle w/out a helmet....it should be your right and your decision.

I suppose wearing a seatbelt should be your decision too?!?

 

[Curly]

I suppose wearing a seatbelt should be your decision too?!?

Exactly!!! It shouldn't be up to the government to dictate to people if they have to wear a seatbelt, helmet, or a life jacket. If someone wants to try to get the Darwin award.......let them.

The only one that should maybe dictate wearing helmets, or seat belts is your insurance company.........You know like if you get injured and you were not wearing your seat belt, then the insurance company shouldn't have to cover your claim.

 

[JoseCuervo]

Exactly!!! It shouldn't be up to the government to dictate to people if they have to wear a seatbelt, helmet, or a life jacket. .

Curly,
Have you ever been the first responder on a serious motorcycle accident? If you had, you wouldn't be so callous and self-righteous to make such a stupid statement.

 

[Tuffbucker]

For once Jose and I agree!!! I have responded to many an accident where a helmet or seatbelt could have saved a life. Contrary to what you might thing, its not fun seeing death, blood, and guts all the time.....Not only that, but the worst thing I ever have to do is make death notifications to parents, wives, husbands, etc., telling that their loved one is laying dead on the pavement......especially when some "common sense" could've saved their life!!

 

[Curly]

Curly,
Have you ever been the first responder on a serious motorcycle accident? If you had, you wouldn't be so callous and self-righteous to make such a stupid statement.

You caught me. I've never been a first responder to a motorcycle accident. But if I had, I would still think the same as I do now.

I just don't think it should be up to the government to tell people what to do in order to be safe. I don't see that as being "self-righteous" and definately not stupid to say that people should be responsible for their own actions and not have to rely on laws to protect them from themselves.

I just thought of another example: what about requiring blaze orange for hunters? Most states require blaze orange be worn but a few states don't. If you go rifle hunting in those states that don't require blaze orange, are you going to wear it? Do you want to be told to wear blaze orange or do you want to be able to make the decision for yourself?

 

[MNHunter]

Careful what you wish for Curly... you might end up like this guy:

http://www.snopes.com/autos/accident/seatbelt.asp

 

[Washington Hunter]

MNHunter, but Curly wont end up like that guy because I've never seen him without a seat belt. He just thinks peope should be responsible for their own safety, not the government, and I agree. I could see a law requiring seat belts for anybody under 18, but other than that, it's more like something you'd expect from a Communist government. If a person is old enough to go to war for our country in Iraq, then he/she should be old enough to decide whether to wear a seat belt or a motorcycle helmet. JMO

 

[Curly]

MNHunter, but Curly wont end up like that guy because I've never seen him without a seat belt.

Thanks Bob, that's right. I won't go anywhere w/out my seatbelt on. And If I rode a motorcycle, I wouldn't go anywhere w/out a helmet on my melon. I don't wear my seatbelt because of some stupid law that the State decided to make re: seatbelts.....I do it because my parents taught me about wearing seatbelts and I've realized the benefits of wearing them.

My father-in-law refuses to wear a seatbelt because of an accident he had when he was young in which he would have been killed if he had been wearing a seat belt. I think he's wrong by not wearing a seat belt, but it should be up to him, and not the government, if he wants to take the risk.

 

[MNHunter]

I was joking, but I understand what you are saying. I wear mine all the time, mainly because I was taught the importance and I also believe I owe it to my family to stay alive. As for the gov't making a law mandating it, I'm not sure it maker much difference. If their intent is to get a little extra $$$ in the coffers, oh well. Driving is a priveledge and with that comes rules. The gov't says I can't drive 90mph where I want, I see the sealtbelt requirement as no different. If it were a safety issue for others, then they should require it.

As for motorcycles, I don't own one, never plan to. I believe they are dangerous. I am biased though, I know about a dozen amputees that are results of motorcycle accidents. Some their fault, other not. I'm not saying others shouldn't ride, just not me.