Helmets in the news again

[Nigeyy]

I think it might depend on how you attribute and interpret data -very tricky!

For example, if you are attempting to identify risk compensation, I wonder if you will attribute trends in the data to your definition of risk compensation? Sort of like wanting to find something you are looking for (whether it's there or not).

I also read a report about helmeted cyclists -I'm not sure what to think of it. I wear a helmet, but certainly don't feel like I take any more or less risks with it on than off (then again, what you perceive and what you do might be entirely different).

Just for an example -were helmeted cyclists in more accidents simply because more cyclists wore helmets than before? Or did car drivers feel like they could more closely drive to them because they were suitably protected?

I'll stop here, I'm confusing myself.

 

[Bollo]

Ok - here's proof that risk compensation is a true fact.

Consider your superheroes. Superman discovers he has super strength and is invulnerable to attack while growing up in Kansas. Does he shrug his shoulders and stay on the farm? 'Course not, he goes off getting into more scrapes than a Parisian's shoe, eventually winding up 'kneeling before Zod'. That's not a fate I want to suffer, you mark my words.

Batfink. Batfink discovers his 'wings are like a shield of steel'. Does he emit an ultrasonic chuckle and get about the real business of bats, which is spreading Rabies, or does decide to fight a series of poorly animated baddies, most of whom quickly discover that behind the wings, Batfink is as soft as sh1te.

Batman, Fantastic 4, The incredible hulk, Anakin Skywalker - all guilty of risk compensation. Skywalker even wears a lid later on in his career, and it doesn't make him a safer person to be around.

 

[ufkacbln]

If I was French I'd be pretty peeved off as they appear to be portrayed as vainglorious, gel loving effetes.

Accurate reporting in the Guardian..... a rare thing!

 

[ufkacbln]

No he doesn't. He says that cyclists went down a third and injuries less than that.

Also add that it was part of a raft of measures that included clampdowns on speeding, drink driving and dangerous driving.

This is the problem with the Australian "evidence" even attributing all the benefits (and reduced accidents?) to helmet use there was still no beneficial effect!