Thoughts on HB1200 (ATV Helmet law)

[CountryBoy19]

Synopsis: Requires helmets for all people under 18 on ATV's. No exceptions as written.

I'm all for being safe, and I'm all for everybody wearing helmets especially on ATV's DRIVEN BY those under 18... but as the law is written, if I'm just poking along in my yard at a snails-pace, with a load of mulch in the bed of my Polaris Ranger, doing some landscaping, my 2 year old daughter sitting beside me (or on my lap etc) must wear a helmet, which I think is a bit ridiculous.

Thoughts?

I think I'm going to call my rep tomorrow.

 

[awames76]

true also they dont have to buy a $50+ helmet every year as they grow. i have 4 kids, they should be safe but wonder if they would be ok with bike helmets.

 

[Double T]

So you're against paying $50 for a helmet every year? You have any idea what a day in the ICU costs?

 

[patience0830]

Wear the dammed helmet. Spend the $.

I don't even know your kids and I think they're worth it.

 

[Gluemanz28]

Helmet vs buying your kids coloring books and crayons as gifts for the rest of their life

 

[1DOWN4UP]

Lord knows how we all lived this long riding bicycles as kids without the helmets,knee pads,elbow pads,eye protection,with the skinned knees,pant legs in the chain,only a rear brake,loose handlebars,5speed shifter in the sack,loose handgrips,and those wide SLICK rear tires.

 

[MisterFurious]

My kid will wear a helmet every time he's on an ATV; but it's none of the government's business if he does...

 

[Tombs]

If this only applied to public roads, I'd be okay with it.

The government telling you what you're allowed to do on your own property is a different matter entirely, absolutely no.
If you've ever lived on or near a farm, you know this is a common means of getting your mail, hauling a cart around, or pulling up tree stumps. What next, are they going to demand you wear a helmet while driving a tractor? Make you wear a helmet while mowing the lawn?

Absolutely ridiculous.

 

[1DOWN4UP]

My kid will wear a helmet every time he's on an ATV; but it's none of the government's business if he does...

I agree.I have made it this long on a scooter,and alot of no helmet years,I am back to wearing a halfie again.Kids don't get on theirs w/o helmet and eye protection.

 

[bwframe]

I have spoken with CO's who have to investigate ATV "accidents." Most have said, "I have teenagers, so I DON'T have ATV's."

Think this will be a nuisance law like the seat belt and child restraint laws, with no real penalty other than a small fine?

 

[churchmouse]

My kid will wear a helmet every time he's on an ATV; but it's none of the government's business if he does...

Yes I edited the post.
Come on fellas, just because it will skirt the filter does not mean we should do it.
If it gets reported we have to look.

 

[churchmouse]

Wear the dammed helmet. Spend the $.

I don't even know your kids and I think they're worth it.

Of course they are but to be told to is the point I am seeing in all of this.

 

[hoosierdoc]

Saw a 14yo kid knock himself out of an ATV Unhelmeted. Bad luck he landed face down in a stream.

had an Unhelmeted teen on a dirt bike today in the ER for a head injury

part of me would like the law, but most of me realizes it will get ignored and probably not worth doing.

accidents happen with 2yo kids in ATVs and quad carts. Are you sure you won't pass out with your foot on the gas? Have a seizure? Heart attack? Are you sure?

 

[avboiler11]

I don't plan on having my boys wear helmets in my roll-caged Ranger, on my own land, while wearing seatbelts, doing 5mph.

if I were doing serious trail riding, I'd feel different...but I don't so I don't.

Kids wear helmets while on ATVs at my parents' farm...but in the Gator or a roll-caged, 4-pointed kart???

 

[patience0830]

I don't like the gubmint spec-ing out my riding attire either. But wearing a helmet is cheap insurance when we're discussing our beloved children. CO's will back this simply because they can't find it in their hearts to let Darwins Law play out in the real world. ( Maybe the planet would be better off without some people's kids..) They get to go find your Kidd when the the quad has turned over on him in the creek (helmet wouldn't help) or thrown him down a ravine after rolling over him. I expect seeing that very often would start to affect you psychologically.

 

[jamil]

Hey. I have an idea. Let's pass a law that makes it illegal to do stupid ****. As the punishment, the perpetrator has to live with the natural consequences of his stupidity.

 

[churchmouse]

I don't like the gubmint spec-ing out my riding attire either. But wearing a helmet is cheap insurance when we're discussing our beloved children. CO's will back this simply because they can't find it in their hearts to let Darwins Law play out in the real world. ( Maybe the planet would be better off without some people's kids..) They get to go find your Kidd when the the quad has turned over on him in the creek (helmet wouldn't help) or thrown him down a ravine after rolling over him. I expect seeing that very often would start to affect you psychologically.

I can not even imagine how finding some of these things would effect me.

In all of this I see both sides. But Government has no right to "Tell" me/us what we can or can not do on our own land.

Thing is, as long as they tax us on our land it is not really ours now is it.

 

[KLB]

Stupid feel good law. About all it will accomplish is give some .govs another small revenue stream.

Our governments need to get out of the business of passing laws to try to protect us from ourselves.

 

[KLB]

I have spoken with CO's who have to investigate ATV "accidents." Most have said, "I have teenagers, so I DON'T have ATV's."

Think this will be a nuisance law like the seat belt and child restraint laws, with no real penalty other than a small fine?

Teenagers do some stupid . Laws won't stop it. Fines won't stop it.

 

[HoughMade]

I am against the law and fully in favor of everyone wearing a helmet. In fact I think it's stupid not to and shows a lack of concern for kids if they are allowed to ride without.