Personal freedom versus public safety lies at the heart of the debate over motorcycle helmet laws, report news sources .
As of September 13 of this year, there have been 76 motorcycle fatalities this year, and in 80 percent of those deaths, the rider was not wearing a helmet. South Carolina has a partial motorcycle helmet law, which requires any rider under the age of 21 has to wear a helmet. North Carolina, which has an all-inclusive helmet law, has a lower motorcyclist death rate. North Carolina does not track helmet use in motorcycle fatalities.
Anti-motorcycle helmet advocates argue that stricter laws impinge on personal freedoms. Many groups encourage the use of helmets including at least one motorcycle organization that urges riders to wear a helmet, but does not lobby for stricter laws. Others involved in the debate, say they can see the value of having a choice, but that the benefit of wearing a helmet far outweigh the risks of not wearing one.
As a Beaufort auto accident lawyer , rider safety is something that I am very aware of, and I encourage riders to err on the side of safety. Through my experience as a Beaufort personal injury lawyer , I have witnessed the importance of taking basic motor vehicle safety measures. I encourage both riders and drivers to drive defensively and share the road.