Letter: Motorcycles need safety laws, too

Motorcycles need safety laws, too

Lee Lanford
St. Augustine
Publication Date: 05/11/09

Editor: I was amused with your April 29 editorial about Florida's seat belt laws, "Make buckling up in vehicles mandatory," and the people who say; It's up to the driver on seat belts.

I agree because in Florida you are allowed to ride a motorcycle without a helmet or a face shield because it's a individuals free choice.

Check out the numbers of people killed in Florida each year on motorcycles.

Take a hard look at how some motorcycle riders scream around as fast as they can so they can hear their loud pipes and lack of proper mufflers. Florida enforces no motorcycle violations because of Daytona International Speedway, Bike Week, Biketoberfest. Not only do some motorcycles travel at loud high speeds or in wolf packs, they take a go-to-hell attitude "were bikers,'' and I love my (bike) that's built for speed and noise.

True, there are good and reasonable motorcycle riders and they ride with respect of others and themselves. Often they wear helmets and their motorcycles are quiet and clean.

I think many people drive their cars respecting others and themselves. The windshield keeps the bugs out of their eyes so they can see and don't run off the road and hit a tree because of a bug in the eye. The driver of a car does not need a helmet to protect their head as they skid across the pavement because of careless drivers and etc.

Wouldn't it be fair to say what's fair for one "a seat belt'' or the other "a helmet and quiet mufflers.''

Are seat belts for public safety? Or are motorcycles for tourists and the person who doesn't give a damn.

There is more revenue in car and truck license plates than in motorcycle license plates meaning it's easier to regulate the motorcycle traffic. The word would travel fast -- don't violate Florida's driving rules.

Bet you don't hear from the good motorcycle people on this.

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