No, I do not think helmets should be mandatory. That does not solve the problem of out-of-control skateboarders falling off their boards and hitting other people. It’s the other people that we need to protect. Having boarders wear helmets does not protect the people they hit. I do not agree with this law.

Julie Webster,

Provo

Wearing helmets is a no-brainer

The need to wear a helmet in any activity where cranial damage can occur is a no-brainer (no pun intended). It is regrettable that a law must be passed to protect persons from themselves, but, as the saying goes, “Common sense is not common.”

Floyd Murphy,

Orem

Only in a vacuum would helmets be unnecessary

It’s interesting you feel the legislation is merely aimed at protecting people from themselves. If we lived in a vacuum I would agree with this premise. Unfortunately, our actions affect others. Even if we are the only one injured. I guess you didn’t see the distraught sister pleading with longboarders on local TV last month to wear helmets after her brother was killed in a longboarding accident from a head injury.

I would also agree with you if they were requiring full body protection or roll bars on the longboard. A good helmet would not put a financial burden on these individuals. But then what would you expect from someone that also agrees with the seat belt and not smoking in public areas laws.

Dennis N. Adamson,

Pleasant Grove

Herald’s editorial right on the money

The Daily Herald’s editorial, response and rebuttal to those who would back the misguided efforts of our government to regulate our actions beyond the bounds of reason and acceptance of personal responsibility are absolutely right on. I stubbed my toe on a sidewalk last week. Let’s require all those who use public walkways to wear steel-toed boots to protect them from their missteps. Come on!

Dave Anderson,

Provo

Losing faith in county lawmakers

I am opposed to Utah County’s mandatory helmet law. I’m losing faith in the judgment of our current Commissioners. They seem to have a tendency to over-legislate a problem; e.g. the gun/wildfire silliness and now this. Helmets had nothing to do with the issue of kamikaze longboarders.

I would like answers to the questions posed by the editorial staff concerning bike accident statistics, particularly in comparison to pedestrian and auto accidents. I’m not against helmets, I wear them depending on the circumstances, but I don’t want the Commission telling me to wear them.

Phil Uhl,

Provo

We all assume responsibility for each other’s safety

I am in favor of longboard helmet laws. I was a motorcycle rider when I was in high school many years ago when helmet laws were enacted. I feel they were beneficial. The loss to society when one life is lost or negatively affected by avoidable injury demands our collective protection. In our socializing society, as we all assume a portion of the cost of what happens to another, we must protect us all from these avoidable tragedies while not prohibiting the activity itself.

Julian J. Bitter,

Orem

Safety of all at risk when issues ignored

The safety of both the sport enthusiast and general public are at risk when safety issues are ignored. Exigent circumstances due to geographic terrain may give rise to regulation of some kind. Especially if, in this case, a long boarder runs into a group of people at high speeds. A barrier between the two lanes might protect the public.

Most organized sports require safety equipment to be worn. Why shouldn’t the everyday sportsman be held to the same standardfi Of greater concern should be why motorists are required to wear safety belts while driving, but not children in school buses.

Vincent Jack,

American Fork

Sometimes regulations are necessary for public safety

I feel that helmet laws are beneficial, particularly to children who won’t wear helmets because their friends aren’t and they want to look cool. California enforced helmet laws for motorcycles and bicycles. You won’t find a hockey, baseball, or football organization that doesn’t enforce helmet use.

The USA Triathlon Association takes helmet use among competitors so seriously that triathletes are disqualified if they unstrap their helmet before dismounting completely from their bike in the transition area. Sometimes it’s necessary to have larger governing bodies enforce rules and laws that will protect participants from unnecessary death and injury.

Liz Tidwell,

Mapleton

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A5.