Managing risk

Dear Editor,

Through the many years of experience I have in my profession, I know something about risk management, and freedom of choice. ["Don't repeal helmet law" (http://www.mccookgazette.com/story/1094509.html)]Whether law or not, I'll wear a helmet.

Of the 3,661 motorcyclists killed on our nation's highways in 2003, 1,946 (53 percent) were wearing helmets. This attests to the fact helmets are not the golden answer to saving lives.

Helmets are sometimes effective at saving life or reducing the severity of an injury but wearing an approved motorcycle helmet will not save every motorcyclist involved in an accident.

Like many things, motorcycle safety is complicated and requires a multi-faceted approach. Therefore, why do we have laws mandating helmet use?

How many lives would we save if every car in the U.S. was equipped with a Breathalyzer ignition interlock?

In 2001, 3,281 people in the U.S. died from accidental drowning, yet we don't mandate using a flotation device while swimming.

How many lives would we save if all car drivers were required to wear helmets?

David Walls,

via e-mail