Even one life saved is worth the helmet
To the Editor:
John Pierce wrote a letter claiming motorcycle helmets are not as effective as claimed. I wonder if he’s ever been personally involved in a serious motorcycle crash. I doubt it, because then he would know that statistics and physics are irrelevant when it happens to someone you love.
My boyfriend, John, was in a serious motorcycle accident in June, and his helmet saved his life. Not only did it save his life, but it saved him from having any brain trauma. One of the things I’ve learned is that when a person is riding a motorcycle, things are either going perfectly, or they go to heck in a handbasket in a short period of time. There is no in-between when it comes to motorcycles, no such thing as a “minor” crash. There are no fender-benders, no air bags to protect the driver, only the body to take the blunt force of the crash.
Imagine laying down on the road, and having a friend pick your head up six inches then letting it drop. That would really hurt. Now imagine your head, unprotected, hitting that pavement at 20, 30 or 55 miles an hour. My daughter works in the ICU department at Salem hospital, and she says they call motorcycles “wheeled coffins.” During the two weeks John spent unconscious in ICU, the trauma care nurses told me the vast majority of motorcycle victims that come through their doors will suffer permanent brain trauma.
Death is not the worst thing that can happen to you if you are involved in a motorcycle crash without a helmet. The worst that can happen is that you will live, but with a permanent brain injury that leaves you unable to function, puts you in a nursing home the rest of your life, and bankrupts your family with medical bills. With all due respect to Mr. Pierce, his statistics on the usefulness of motorcycle helmets are incomplete until he factors in the number of crash victims who suffered permanent brain trauma because they did not have an adequate helmet.
Susan Buce
The Dalles
Road dept. at fault for cracked windshield
To the Editor:
I would like to thank the Klickitat County Road department for the crack in my windshield. Driving through a construction area on Aug. 4 on South Columbus, a rock hit my windshield. Granted, I know it’s a random event, however I feel this was due to the excessive amount of debris left on the roadway after the road crew was done with maintenance. The road crew should’ve been more vigilant amount cleaning debris off the roadway.
I contacted the local office about the situation, in which they offered no helpful advice and didn’t offer any kind of payment for the damages. It’s going to be my $300 bill, which I’m not pleased about. Thanks again to our local government for the damages to my vehicle and proof once again that my tax dollars aren’t being spent wisely.
Jeremiah Alexander
Goldendale
High Prairie residents lauded
To the Editor,
Recently, a High Prairie Community Council Meeting in which the Farmland Preservation Zone (which would include our ranch) was discussed. Many came to the meeting skeptics with lots of questions but, hopefully, left with an understanding of what the zone will do for the community and county.
Everyone who attended was so very respectful in both their questions and comments. We really appreciate the community taking the time to hear the proposal. Our family has been farming in High Prairie for 32 years and we have been blessed with a son who wants to continue the family tradition.
Tom and Gail Amery
High Prairie
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