First Personal Opinion
I have chosen to express my views on the topic about a necessity of wearing helmets by the motorcyclists, as this issue is highly discussed these days. I believe that wearing a helmet should be an obligation since it a primary source of protection while riding a motorcycle. The effectiveness of helmet is rather high, as the number of fatal injuries decreased to 27 % (Dee 398). Moreover, wearing a helmet is a necessity for the motorcyclists, as they are less protected compared to the car drivers and their passengers (Fernandes and Alves de Sousa 1). Consequently, it is apparent that wearing a helmet is an essentiality and has to be a requirement for motorcyclists, as it protects their lives.
Arguments Supporting
I also think that no exceptions and modifications have to be introduced regarding wearing the helmets’ law. In my opinion, it should be an obligation for everyone including children and adults. The government is responsible for health and safety of its citizens. Consequently, wearing a helmet has to be a requirement. It is widely known that a lot of traffic accidents occur every year, and a majority of them includes motorcyclists. Furthermore, the level of fatal injuries remains high, as only a small number of riders is wearing helmets (Singh and Aggarwal 9). It is vital to contribute to making wearing a helmet compulsory for citizens of all social classes and ages to decrease the number of deaths. No exceptions are allowed, as not wearing a helmet might be a primary cause of death.
Second Personal Opinion
I also decided to express my point of view regarding the necessity of special requirements for certain categories of citizens, as it is an additional vehement question for discussion. I believe that it is necessary to introduce certain regulations for the elderly. A primary reason for that is the fact that many accidents with the elderly drivers occur (Abou-Raya and ElMeguid 290). This problem occurs due to the fact that elderly is unable to react to the changes rapidly. Additionally, some restrictions could be also applied to the young drivers, especially, during night driving. A primary cause of the restriction is the fact that young drivers have a tendency to fall asleep and lack the focus while driving during the nighttime (Lowden et al. 1001).
Suggestions for the Restrictions
Possible restriction can be applied to the elderly, as this category of drivers experience difficulties on highways (Waard, Dijksterhuis and Brookhuis 588). It could be restricted on the motorways in the form of following the speed limits while getting into traffic.
Moreover, the night driving for the elderly, who has problems with vision has to be forbidden, as it is dangerous for the driver and other traffic participants. Furthermore, similar restrictions have to be applied to the young drivers, as driving during nighttime also should be forbidden for them to reduce the number of accidents during the night. It could be controlled by police, as fines can be applied as a punishment. The patrols of the police with have night raids to catch the elderly and young drivers, who are breaking the law. It is apparent that these regulations will improve the safety of the roads, as fewer accidents involving these categories of drivers will occur.
Works Cited
Abou-Raya, Suzan, and Leila ElMeguid. “Road Traffic Accidents and the Elderly.” Geriatrics & Gerontology International 9.3 (2009): 290-297. Print.
Dee, Thomas. “Motorcycle Helmets and Traffic Safety.” Journal of Health Economics 28.2 (2009): 398-412. Print.
Fernandes, Magno, and Ricardo Alves de Sousa. “Motorcycle Helmets – A State of the Art Review.” Accident Analysis & Prevention 56 (2013): 1-21. Print.
Lowden, Arne, Anna Anund, Göran Kecklund, Björn Peters and Torbjörn Åkerstedt. “Wakefulness in young and elderly subjects driving at night in a car simulator.” Accident Analysis & Prevention 41.5 (2009): 1001-1007. Print.
Singh, Harnam, and Akashdeep Aggarwal. “Fatal Road Traffic Accident in Motorcyclists not Wearing Helmets.” Journal of Punjab Academy of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology 11.1 (2011): 9-11. Print.
Waard, Dick, Chris Dijksterhuis and Karel Brookhuis. “Merging into heavy motorway traffic by young and elderly drivers.” Accident Analysis & Prevention 41.3 (2009): 588-597. Print.