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Show r - I efc ., I I . - i A f ! i 0 I . .... L , . .) . . J TONI CROSBY "Just like seatbelts, it's just for safety." j. '-v.- KEVIN ETHINGTON "Yes, toprevent death." PAT HOLMES ' 'Should have right to choose. ' ' BONNIE CHENEY ' 'H ead should be protected. ' ' Should helmets for motorcyclists be required by law? V r V J : ;: ! f M t X v V t - ! t t i i I - j 'w "L 1 I j " ? I L rV "lii in i Mi r Ji.; -.-. By JUDY JENSEN Editor The legislature is currently debating a law which would make wearing helmets mandatory for anyone riding a motorcycle. Opponents say it would take away their right to choose, while those in favor of the bill say bikers should not have the right to choose if their safety is at stake. As one said, "What about the rights of the people who drive the cars that hit the motorcycles. If the rider isn't wearing a helmet, the driver of the car is almost certainly going to have lo live with the knowledge they have killed someone." We asked local residents to respond res-pond to the question, ' Should anyone who rides a motorcycle be required to wear a helmet? According to Chuck Zollinger mandatory helmets are a good idea. when they are brought in, it is almost always irreparable. We sometimes call them 'donor cycles,' or murder cycles, because that is the result in a lot of cases. Helmets could save lives in most cases. ' ' Toni Crosby agreed. "I think it is a good idea. It should be mandatory. man-datory. Everyone should have their freedom, but not when safety is involved. in-volved. Why should this be any different than seatbelts. They are mandatory, and I think helmets should be mandatory too." "I used to ride a motorcycle all of the time,' said Kevin Ethington. 'I think if you're 18, you should have the right to choose. I do think helmets prevent death for motorcyclists. motor-cyclists. Everyday you read in the papers about someone who has died on a motorcycle, and usually it because they had head injuries.' Kevin said he had been hurt on his CHUCK ZOLLINGER ' 'We call them 'donor cycles' at the hospital in the emergency room." said Bonnie Cheney. She agreed that the wearing of helmets should be mandatory. ' 'If an accident happens, they need to have their head protected or they will be killed." "No. They shouldn't have to wear them. It is a good idea for motorcyclists to wear helmets, but I don't think they should be forced into it Everyone should have the right to choose. ' TAMM I BAILEY ' 'Shouldn't be forced to wear them. ' ' bike when he rode it, but never seriously. seri-ously. "I always wore a helmet, he said. Pat Holmes said he does not think the legislation should be passed. pass-ed. "I would be against that. I think everyone should have the right to choose what they are going to do. I think it is a good idea for bikers to wear helmets, but I don't think they should be forced to. "Motorcycles are dangerous,' |