Motorcyclist Dies on Ride Protesting Helmet Law
- Posted on July 3, 2011 at 2:53pm by
Madeleine Morgenstern
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ONONDAGA, N.Y. (AP) — Police say a motorcyclist participating in a protest ride against helmet laws in upstate New York died after he flipped over the bike’s handlebars and hit his head on the pavement.
The accident happened Saturday afternoon in the town of Onondaga, in central New York near Syracuse.
State troopers tell The Post-Standard of Syracuse that 55-year-old Philip A. Contos of Parish, N.Y., was driving a 1983 Harley Davidson with a group of bikers who were protesting helmet laws by not wearing helmets.
Troopers say Contos hit his brakes and the motorcycle fishtailed. The bike spun out of control, and Contos toppled over the handlebars. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Troopers say Contos would have likely survived if he had been wearing a helmet.
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Comments (195)
Lt_Taz
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:34pmYes helmets work, but prudent riders also work too. Somebody tell the troopers to shut their pie holes, as they are unqualified to determine the cause of death. That can only be done by a pathologist through a post mortem examination. Furthermore if I am 3X7 it should be my choice to wear or not to wear a helmet. May the good Lord have mercy on his soul and give comfort to his loved ones.
Report Post »ensemble
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:34pmI am not a fan of the nanny state. At the same time, I am conflicted about opting out of common sense protections. Seat belts, car seats for infants and toddlers, bike helmets for kids, helmets for motorcycle riders–it all seems fine with me in an intellectual way. What is the big deal to try to insure safety? We have safety rules for car production, safety rules for hazardous chemicals, safety rules for bridges, safety rules for driving cars and boats under the influence of alcohol, safety rules for flying on airplanes, safety rules for cross walks..etc, etc. What is the difference? If you don’t want a nanny state for helmets, shouldn’t you not want safety rules for food preparation, for stop signs, for speed limits, for over the counter meds that bought in bulk could make meth??etc, etc. Just trying to get my head around it.
Report Post »thinkinghuman
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:58pmI am always in favor of OPT OUT in these kind of situations. The ONLY reason a cop gives you that ticket is to raise REVENUE. Its not about safety at all. Its about doo gooder assemblymen weasels that seek to control lives of others and make money off all the non conformists. Its a power grab
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:34pmre:road closures after a non-helmet accident.
the road would STILL have to be closed, even WITH a helmet.
You still have to investigate the accident.
The motorcyclist will still likely have to go to a hospital, so there would still be emergency vehicles, etc.
Just a thought: Hmm… injuries would actually cost more than fatalities, it would seem, as there would be no health insurance claim. – Just thinking aloud, so don‘t attack me for an opinion which I’m not expressing, I’m just pondering that concept.
LET FREEDOM RING !
Report Post »thinkinghuman
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:54pmI remember seeing a motorcyclist, with helmut on, crash into a car. He was going 90 and smashed his neck into his body. Helmut protected his head. He was DOA in an instant.
Helmuts might help the freak accident like when you are sitting at a signal waiting, but you lose your balance and fall over and hit your head. Might help there. But go 60 mph and crash a bike and you will WISH you were a DEAD piece of hamburger and not wearing that helmut.
Report Post »swampbuck
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 4:01pmthat is a stupid argument against helmets..
Report Post »Flotilla Hunter
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:32pmI am completely in favor of helmets on bikes and seat belts in autos, but it should be your choice and your right and not another of the governments demands. Does the government really care about your personal safety or is it just another revenue creating law?
Report Post »thinkinghuman
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:52pmanother REVENUE creating law for sure. Follow the money trail when it has ANYTHING to do with government. Truth.
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 10:19amOnly a fool would think it about anything but $$$.
Report Post »Want our country back
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:32pmRest in peace
Report Post »EdBoo
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:28pmMy sense is this guy was real stupid but he went and fixed it all by himself – along with the gene pool.
I feel a need to be sympathetic (sort of) but probably not enough to stop me from posting these remarks.
Report Post »AZ Jeannie
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 2:24amI agree! But brain dead is brain dead anyway you look at it! My son had a helmet on when some jerk pulled out of a bar parking lot and ran over his head…..the tread marks are still on his helmet. Does he still ride – ABSOLUTELY NOT!
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:28pmWOW!!
He died being FREE!!!
My condolences to his family.
My congratulations to HIM for living and dying ON HIS OWN TERMS – A FREE MAN.
This is called FREEDOM – it comes with risks.
“Those who would sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither and will lose both.” – Benjamin Franklin
He demanded liberty and freedom.
We COULD build “SAFE” vehicles that would survive any accident. However, nobody would want one, they would get ridiculous mileage, they would weigh as much as a tank, they would be ugly, they would be slow.
Government has no business telling an individual what risk they are allowed to take with THEIR OWN LIVES. The absence of a helmet put NOBODY at risk except HIMSELF.
Personally, I always wear a helmet, even when/where it is not required. HOWEVER, I demand and reserve the right NOT to wear one. It is MY choice. Talk about “keeping your laws off my body” to borrow a phrase from pro-abortionists.
Some places are passing BICYCLE helmet laws!
Maybe we should put speed governors on vehicles to keep them all below a safe collision speed of say, 5mph? Ridiculous? How about 7mph? No? How about 55? It has been done, if you recall.
Don’t start on insurance, either.
Insurance policies could be purchased for WEARERS and for NON-WEARERS.
If you buy NON-WEARER coverage, you pay more, but you are always covered.
If you buy WEARER coverage, you pay less, but, if you are injured while NOT wearing, you are NOT covered.
From EVERY m
Report Post »proliance
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:21pmLOL, “He died enjoying freedom.” He was probably giving everybody the thumbs up while his skull crumpled and his brain spilled onto the interstate. “Look at me,” he was saying, ” I hope this shows everybody that I‘m right and you’re all a bunch of sheep.”
When his wife was called to the morgue to identify hm despite his smashed face she said “The kids and I will miss him, but its all worth it. Being told to wear a helmet is a fate much worse than death. I know his last wish would have been for me to make sure the kids never wear a helmet.”
I recommend this for the dumb remark of the day.
“Died enjoying his freedom?” I’m sure he enjoyed every second of his death.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:38pmPROLIANCE:
Report Post »I would rather live 15 years being happy than to be afraid to live life being scared by a 1 inch pot hole that the government has a law ordering you to approach at a 45% angle at a speed no greater than 4 mph unless it’s 1/2 hour before sunset or 1/2 hour after sunrise at which time the speed shall be no greater than 2 mph. Your going to die someday and on schedule regardless of what you do.
EdBoo
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:40pmAfter reading this report on the wife’s comments I want to throw up.
$5 says this guy had an expensive tricked-out bike, lots of leather, no money, no house, a dead end job (if any), maxed out credit cards, no medical insurance and especially no life insurance.
Hopefully the reality of all this will sink in before his kids get on bikes and kill themselves proving the helmet law is wrong. In the interim taxpayers will probably by picking up the bills for them and the grieving widow.
I rode bikes in the mid-60′s with no helmet. I was real stupid – and real lucky too.
Report Post »thinkinghuman
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:51pmI am sure TARZAN swung on a rope WITHOUT a helmut. Tarzan was smart.
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 4:21pmFreedom isn’t always an enjoyable thing. Or rather the enjoyment of it isn’t always a pleasure. It comes with risks and responsibilities. That’s why some choose to be slaves to the state. It makes them feel comfortable. A token of safety accompanied by the illusion of even greater safety is very tempting for many.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:19pmIf he had bugs in his teeth then he died smiling. I‘d rather die doing what I want in a free country then live under BO’s perceived MARXIST ideals. That’s a waste of life.
Report Post »ares338
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:17pmI absolutely hate laws like that. Seat belt laws and the like suck. Before anyone attacks, I have always worn a seatbelt and it should be my right not to if I wish. You can’t legislate stupidity.
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 10:12amI don‘t like seat belts and I don’t like helmets and will do as I please.
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:17pmAny bike accident is going to be serious obviously. Take seatbelts in cars. Yes, seatbelts greatly reduce the chance of injury or death in a crash, but there have also been reports of injury or death because of the seatbelt.
Don’t rely on gadgets to save you. Drive safe.
Report Post »ChipK
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:16pmAs sad as this is… I am SURE the deceased would affirm the action to protest helmets. It is NO ONE‘s decision but the rider’s!!!
Report Post »pavepaws
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:16pmNo swimming in the shallow end of the gene pool.
Report Post »A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:12pmAnd yet, he was still right: Helmet laws violate individual liberty, and are, at the Federal level, certainly unConstitutional; and at the State level, are still a violation of individual liberty, and ought to not be enforced.
The fact that this guy died when he probably could have lived by wearing a helmet ONLY proves that it’s wise to do so. It says nothing about the wisdom of giving government the authority to compel someone to do things in their own self-interest.
Someone will bring up that now the police have to shut down the road and ruin people’s commute, but if you privatized the roads, then people would have the incentive to build adequate detours for these scenarios.
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:11pmStupid is as stupid does. Iv’e seen too many in my lifetime , dead , brain damaged and paralized. For sue commen sense isn’t. We are all responsible to those who love us to take care of ourselves. Feedom doesn’t mean much to the survivors, and it doesn’t stop the pain much to loose someone that way. If we could look in on our funerals, would we maybe do some things a little different for the sake of those we love.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:25pmJENNY LIND;
Report Post »It’s unclear if you were referring to the motorcycle story or just pointing out the injuries and deaths that are a result of following the Commander in Chiefs worthless orders.
Libertyluvnmomma
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 10:22pmso what are you saying? Wear a helmet or be careful?
Report Post »I’ll be too busy in heaven to worry about my funeral!
SavingtheRepublic.com
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:11pm‘Stupid is as stupid does.’
Report Post »~ Forest Gump
HairRazor
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:49pmdang it man..
Report Post »Captain Crunch
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:08pmVery sad. Sorry for his families loss. I gave up my bikes several years ago due to a couple of very close calls and a group of teenagers intentionally tying to target me. Then one of my sons hit a Harley with a husband and wife on board. Swears he didn’t see them. Thankfully they were wearing helmets and are ok. LOOK TWICE!
Report Post »iahp_mom
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:04pmWell, that just smells of irony. Ya know he’s got to be up talking to St. Peter saying “Aw man! It was the principle of the thing!”
Report Post »Libertyluvnmomma
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 10:25pmwhy makes you so convinced helmets make motorcycles safer?
I always hope for really high critical thinking skills among conservatives. But lately from the comments here at the Blaze. I’m puzzled…and really disappointed.
Report Post »mrsmileyface
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:03pmCan you say I R O N Y!
Report Post »Dale
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:03pmHe died enjoying freedom. Don’t let the NANNY state remove our right!
Report Post »TerribleTroy
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:02pmThe last thing that went through this guys mind was….ASPHALT. Im all for the helmets being optional.
Report Post »meamerican
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:18pmI ride and I live in FL ; The helmet is optional but I still wear one when I ride, it just makes sense to me.
Report Post »ramburner
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 7:17pmLiving in the Philippines, motorcycle riding is an essential part of transportation. I ride daily and use the helmet. Drivers here DO NOT obey the rules of the road and have caused me to be in two accidents, neither my fault! If I was not wearing the helmet, I would have died in both of these accidents. While I don’t like to sweat under the helmet, it has saved my life twice. There is a helmet law here, but so many do not obey it and no one gets arrested. Even though it has saved my life twice, I would go without one occasionally in the States if given the chance to experience the freedom to ride without one.
Report Post »southerngal
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 4:31pmyes, agree
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:01pmWe don’t need laws and regulation to have safety. That’s what COMMON SENSE is for. Terrible for him and his family. My prayers go out to those who mourn.
Report Post »Louie Louie the Progressive
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 2:29amSome folks don`t have common sense………………….like riding a hog without a brain bucket
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:00pmI am sorry for the loss unto his family and friends; having survived a couple of bad bike accidents, I know the value of a good helmet on impacting the road or a tree after the bike leaves you and the car that hit it.
To his family, may the lord watch over them and comfort them in this time of loss and grief; allow the good memories to predominate in their lives, and let them live on in them all.
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:00pmIf he wanted to effectively protest the law he should have done so in a way that violated the law yet didn’t put his safety at risk; like riding at 10 miles/hour. He was right to protest the law, but kind of stupid not to wear a helmet. But it WAS his right to risk his life.
Report Post »saranda
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:22pmThe law he was protesting was the helmet law. How could he have protested that law in any other way? Driving slower to be safe is a little silly don’t you think?
Report Post »Weiners Wiener
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:50pmLaws should be allowed to curb personal freedoms where other peoples’ freedoms/safety are also at risk. The police said he likely would have survived with a helmet, so let me ask you this: Imagine a similar scenario where a rider breaks the law by not wearing a helmet, gets in a wreck, and dies. Another rider behind him (who IS wearing his helmet) is unable to avoid hitting the dead man on the asphalt, gets in a wreck himself, and ALSO dies. Had the first rider had a helmet on, he might have been able to move out of the way, thus preventing the other man from dying, as well. In that case, I support the law.
Report Post »MyeyesRbleeding
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 4:15pmIf the first rider is in a situation where the helmet would have saved him means that the driver was no longer in control of the bike. Only in Utopia would he have been able to get out of the way of the second driver.
Report Post »Furthermore, full helmets restrict peripheral vision, and worn without a neck roll are responsible for neck injuries and potential decapitation. I was in the car following a motorcycle accident. My father got out of the car to return the helmet to the driver. When he got to the driver, he realized that the guy’s head was still in the helmet. Never have I seen him so shook, before or since. Just because the police say that he would have survived does not make it so.
CrazyJ
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 4:18pmno it was not his right to risk his life on public tax payer highways. im assuming taxpayers are picking up the tab for the ambulance run and hospital trip.
Report Post »BUDDY LITTLE
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 4:44pmLETS see if i get this ?? It is his right NOT to wear a helmet!….but he should wear one any time he exercises that right….JUST TO BE ON THE SAFE SIDE ……….YOU MUST BE A LIBERAL ??LOL
Report Post »GrumpyCat
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 10:48pmWhen it comes to your bare head 10 MPH is plenty to kill you. Said his bike fishtailed and he went over the handlebars. Just hit the ground. Doesn’t matter how fast you are going if you just hit the ground. Speed is only going to take off flesh.
I ride dirtbikes a lot. In the past several years 3 helmetless passengers on ATVs have died in the county. Every case the ATV flipped and crushed their head. At less than 10 MPH.
As for me, my helmet is beat to heck. But when its not on my head its in a protective bag. I use it to deflect branches quite a lot, and occasionally it deflects the ground or a tree.
Report Post »Barack Oburgundy
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 1:52amThat‘s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard…..even when I’ve gone off TelePrompTer !
Report Post »FLYOVERSTATEIOWA
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:00pmKarma???
Report Post »America Is Under Attack
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:04pmseems like it.
Report Post »striker_58201
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:36pmAs a rider who WILL NOT get on a bike without a helmet, he died on his own terms. He knew the risks of riding without a helmet, it’s not “karma”, there is no such thing, it was an accident!
Report Post »thinkinghuman
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:49pmHe died HAPPY, living the American Dream, even when they wanted to take it away from him.
Report Post »SLIDELLMAN
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 3:56pmNo. Not karma. Stupidity maybe, but not karma.
Look, we know wearing helmets can save you life, just like wearing seat belts. But, really, to be PULLED OVER AND TICKETED for something that should be a personal choice to begin with?
Report Post »FlatFoot
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 4:07pmNot Karma. Just an unfortunate accident.
RIP
Report Post »Ironmaan
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 5:55pmHe has the absolute right to protest the law and not wear a helmet. I don’t believe there should be any such laws, seatbelt laws included. That said, your a fool to not wear one.
Report Post »http://guerillatics.com
Sheepdog911
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 7:07pmI guess he died defending his beliefs … ironically. Ooops
Report Post »The_Hut_In_Co
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 8:51pmI think There is a message here!
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 9:10pm.
Freedom means you can do stupid things….and pay the consequences.
It’s not the role of government to tell you to wear a helmet, period.
(I also don’t want to pay your hospital bill when you crack your skull.
I ride a motorcycle, I’m against helmet laws, I always wear a helmet.
Report Post »CSense77
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 9:39pmI’m thinking more of an ironic paradox?
Report Post »JRook
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 10:23pmGood for him in a sense. He died expressing his opposition to a law which infringed on his personal freedom to choose whether to wear a safety helmet or not. Liberty shouldn’t be defined or limited based on a groups view of what is good for other people. His lack of a helmet did not endanger anyone else but himself. Once we loose the ability to make choices that only effect us, all liberty is gone. There is an analogy here regarding smoking bans in open areas where there is no risk of second hand smoke.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 12:23amDarwin at work…
Report Post »Wiz001
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 9:45amKarma, Possibly,, but i believe it was his time to go.. Even if he had a helmet on he could have been killed just the same.. Most crashes a helmet would not help or make it worst in my case. I would rather die then be a veg… We can go around being so safe we never live and then, get some freak disease or hit by stay bullet from some gang banger.. Enjoy life, and tell govt. to get out of our lives!!!
Report Post »Kalish
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 3:59pmNo such thing as karma, stupidity yes, I am sorry he lost his life, but as a motorcyclist for over 30 years, I have never, never rode a motorcycle without a helmet
Report Post »Libertyluvnmomma
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 10:15pmTroopers say Contos would have likely survived if he had been wearing a helmet.”
Uh, since when were“ troopers” doctors or neurologists??
Report Post »They don’t mention he might have been a closed head injury patient. That is a joy.. I’d rather be dead.
Libertyluvnmomma
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 10:28pmwhat the hell?????????? all the replies now go to the flipping end? Retarded absolutely retarded.If this is not a mistake I am gong to unbookmark the blaze.
Report Post »nysparkie
Posted on July 5, 2011 at 9:53amI ride. I hate Nanny laws. Having said that, I would not ride without head protection. I wouldn’t want to live ending up in a wheelchair drooling on myself until the end of my days. Worse. I wouldn’t want to end up like Gary Busey who did fall off his bike and hit his head. Now look at him! YIKES!
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