Back in my serious motorcycling days, one of the motorcycling magazines was compiling stats as various states were enacting and repealing helmet laws. It was pretty clear--over and over--that helmets do save lives.

One un-intuitive result was the battle between the full-face and open-face helmets. There wasn't much difference between the two. I was usually a full-face wearer: great for rain and bugs. But on hot days, I opted for the open-face.

I've also got 12 years experience in the Canadian oilpatch. I could probably count on several sets of hands when my work helmet got between my skull and some steel--to give us all something to laugh about. Most oilfield workers get this experience. Yet half of oilfield workers--if given a free choice--would not wear helmets on the job.

When people really don't like laws that are good for them, that is a sign of disrespect for the democratic process.

Helmet laws--for both oilfield workers and motorcyclists--do not have the intent of taking away "free-dumb".