I always ride with a helmet, kayak with a PFD on (if you're in a situation to need it, it does no good on the deck my friends), wear my seat belt, try to eat sensibly, and generally do most other things that are aimed at giving myself better odds of staying alive and in good health.

My husband motorcycles (and bikes), and wears boots, helmet, riding pants and jacket now (the pants finally came, but thankfully he's got everything now). We both are amazed when we see motorcyclists without gear including helmets, motorcyclists with helmets but riding in tshirts and shorts, or worse yet, around here since there's no helmet law in NH but they are required in MA, and we're right at the border, a perfectly good helmet, attached to the side of the bike, not the rider's HEAD. Duh, they've already spent the money for the thing! So I guess, on that level, one could make the argument that legislating helmets on motorcycles has worked, but it's also enforced through tickets and insurance hikes, and easily identified. Maybe that's ultimately the difference - there's no wallet effect associated with getting a ticket for not wearing a PFD while kayaking (and BTW, it is legally required to be *worn* in MA between 15 Sept and 15 May), or a helmet while cycling, etc. I also am baffled by those who are obese and still eat supersized ice creams, or golfers who say they love to get out on the greens 'for the fresh air', but drive around in the little carts instead of walking. Ok, so I don't really get golf in the first place... oh well.

Anyway, neither of us support manditory laws around common sense. I don't wear a helmet because politicians or police officers, say I should. I don't think most of these laws do anything other than make a politician feel like they did something good (all the while ignoring bigger problems, such as a $14 billion roadway system that is already falling apart, ah but I digress).

I wear a helmet (and a PFD) because I value being alive, and if I can help myself to achieve that with reasonable precautions, I will. I don't know how to keep people from themselves, but as Veronica has pointed out, there's always something better waiting around the bend to be legislated. After all, the pols think that's what they're in office to do - make more laws!