Helmets offer just so much protection

To the Editor:

To whomever reads this, I am an experienced and dedicated Advanced EMT, or I should say, was, as I am retired after 18 years of public service. During my tenure as a tech, I saw, as many of us did, hundreds of accidents. The one thing that I am going to say in favor of the individual's right to wear a helmet or not is simply that the helmet will not and cannot keep fatal injury from happening anywhere else on the human body. Also, that if research were done, you'd find that the helmet is only good for prevention up to 30 to 35 mph.

My experiences have taught me that when an accident occurs, that there are many forces at work. Speed of travel, distance until impact and if there was another vehicle involved, the combined foot pounds of energy that can be tallied up on any accident.

Experience has taught that when a motorcyclist goes down, he or she has few alternatives. That being said, helmets will not and cannot prevent accidents or the outcome after certain legal speeds.
Let the individual make the choice and let the individual be more educated in safe operating of a motorcycle. Public education of four-wheel drivers is also very important. After all, avoid or prevent an accident and it truly doesn't matter, does it?

Chet Perry
North Vernon, Ind.