Car Accidents the Leading Cause of Head Injuries
(Columbia) – Car accidents are the leading cause of head injuries. Brain injuries occur when an object such as a windshield strikes the head of the driver or passengers of a car or truck. In other instances, drivers and passengers of cars and trucks experience head injuries that occur when the brain undergoes a sudden acceleration / deceleration movement without a direct trauma to the skull. These forces cause bruising, bleeding and twisting. Damage to the brain may occur at the time of the accident, or develop over time as tissues swell and bleed within the head. These are the hard facts. The leading cause of head injuries in South Carolina and the United States are car accidents.
Over the last week, numerous South Carolina media outlets have ran stories about the rising death rates of motorcyclists in the Palmetto State. Predictably, many news editors and writers have wrongly implied or concluded that the number of motorcyclists that have died in South Carolina so far in 2006 is directly related to South Carolina's current helmet law. Some have suggested that because South Carolina now has a primary enforcement seat belt law, it should pass an all-rider mandatory helmet law.
The assumption being made is that a motorcyclist not wearing a helmet when involved in a fatal crash would have survived the crash had he or she been wearing a helmet. The problem with this assumption is that helmets offer no protection against neck, chest, and lower abdomen injuries. In fact, while a helmet offers some protection against head injuries, studies show that they sometimes exacerbate neck injuries. To assume that a helmet would save a life by protecting a motorcycle rider's or passenger's head while ignoring the increased potential of fatal neck injuries exacerbated by the helmet is to demonstrate a discriminatory bias against motorcyclists.
According to a study conducted by Jonathan P. Goldstein, Ph.D. at Bowdoin College, a critical impact velocity to a motorcycle helmet (approximately 13 mph), shows a statistically significant effect, which increases the severity of neck injuries. Thus Goldstein rejects the claim that, helmets have no effect on neck injuries in favor of the claim that, past a critical impact speed, helmets exacerbate neck injuries.
Will mandatory helmet law advocates "feel" better about themselves if a motorcyclist experiences neck injuries instead of head injuries? Since car accidents are the leading cause of head injuries, do these same people support an all driver / all passenger helmet law for occupants of cars and trucks traveling in South Carolina, or are they comfortable with their double standards? Some decisions are not meant for legislators. Liberty is not a privilege and it isn't subject to polls or popular vote. It's still part of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Letting those that ride, decide, isn't debatable either - it's an inalienable right.
ABATE of South Carolina is a State Motorcyclists Rights Organization dedicated to defending the rights of all motorcyclists who choose to ride in South Carolina. ABATE of South Carolina also encourages all motorcyclists to register to vote and become active in the political process. ABATE encourages motorcyclists to voluntarily obtain motorcycle rider training. Many members of ABATE are involved in a variety of charitable organizations and take great pride in being active members of their communities.

ABATE of South Carolina is a State Motorcyclists Rights Organization dedicated to defending the rights of all motorcyclists who choose to ride in South Carolina. ABATE of South Carolina also encourages all motorcyclists to register to vote and become active in the political process. ABATE encourages motorcyclists to voluntarily obtain motorcycle rider training. Many members of ABATE are involved in a variety of charitable organizations and take great pride in being active members of their communities. To learn more about ABATE of SC visit http://www.abatesc.com