July 3, 2011 1:21 PM

Motorcyclist dies on ride protesting helmet law

 (AP)

(AP) 

ONONDAGA, N.Y. - Police say a motorcyclist participating in a protest ride against helmet laws in upstate New York died after he flipped over the bike's handlebars and hit his head on the pavement.

The accident happened Saturday afternoon in the town of Onondaga, in central New York near Syracuse.

State troopers tell The Post-Standard of Syracuse that 55-year-old Philip A. Contos of Parish, N.Y., was driving a 1983 Harley Davidson with a group of bikers who were protesting helmet laws by not wearing helmets.

Troopers say Contos hit his brakes and the motorcycle fishtailed. The bike spun out of control, and Contos toppled over the handlebars.

He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Troopers say Contos would have likely survived if he had been wearing a helmet.

© 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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by 1VNVet July 4, 2011 2:49 PM EDT
I would love to know just how many of you name-callers have driven a car while drinking a beer or even a mixed drink, while smoking a cigarette or cigar which of course can be dropped and cause a distraction, or while talking on the phone, or while texting, or while fiddling with something in the other seat, or while looking back at your kids or the groceries that just spilled because you took a turn too fast, or while taking your eyes off the road because of that good looking girl on the sidewalk or guy, or while changing the radio station or while doing a myriad of other things that can take your eyes away from the road????? ALL of the above can and does cause car crashes and all have caused death and destruction from those crashes......so before you sling mud, take into account your very own stupidity!!
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by jimatmadison July 4, 2011 2:39 PM EDT
Well, at least he died doing what he loved best - being a dumba ss.
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by bundush July 4, 2011 2:32 PM EDT
The beginning of warm weather up North and the out pouring of "Motorcycle Mania" on the highways and byways.Also known as the offical opening of the "Killing Season" as rarely does a day go by where one or more cyclist does not die in a motorcycle accident.

Why?
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by 1VNVet July 4, 2011 2:43 PM EDT
Thats funny because: About 115 people die every day in vehicle crashes in the United States -- one death every 13 minutes and yet I don't see the insulting comments on here about that! I am 63, served in the Army for 5 years was a guest of the Vietcong for a very short time and I have ridden a motorcycle since I was 14 and it is MY choice to not wear a helmet at times while other times such as on a long ride or on an interstate, I do wear one. I also do not wear a seatbelt and have been to court 4 times for that and have beaten their insane ticket for that all 4 times. I believe I have earned the right to live my life MY way and have earned the right to not wear a seatbelt or helmet should I choose not to. The only one I may or may not be hurting by my choice is ME and again, that is MY right!
by jimatmadison July 4, 2011 1:51 PM EDT
Seat belt and helmet laws are designed to protect my wallet from your stupidity and selfishness.

Until you dopes figure a way around that, you really don't have a good argument.
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by jimatmadison July 4, 2011 2:14 PM EDT
Researchers analyzed the cases 216 motorcyclists who were involved in motorcycling accidents and admitted to the University of Michigan hospital from 1996 to 2000. Despite a Michigan state law requiring all motorcyclists to wear helmets, 42 of the 216 riders (19%) were not wearing helmets when they crashed. The average motorcyclist who crashed while not wearing a helmet racked up $6,000 more in hospital bills than those wearing helmets. (Average inpatient costs for helmeted rider: $31,158; average inpatient costs for an unhelmeted rider: $37,317.) The study found that riders who were not wearing helmets were also more likely to be uninsured. The study suggests that higher insurance premiums for unhelmeted riders may motivate motorcyclists to use their helmets. (Ellen Kuwana, MS, U of Washington)
by jimatmadison July 4, 2011 1:47 PM EDT
No helmet? Toss them in the ditch when they crash and let the DNR pick them up with the deer, raccoons, and other non-sentient creatures.
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by SAMTORRES66 July 4, 2011 1:21 PM EDT
They might be an inconvinience, but they work...
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by gangesdak July 4, 2011 1:03 PM EDT
This is a catchy story. However, it does not hide the fact that the state does interfere with us. Many so called safety features, such as, the automatic door locks in the car are simply dictates of the state. We want the prying state out of our life. Helemts should still be a choice.
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by jimatmadison July 4, 2011 2:45 PM EDT
When your choice costs me tax money or raises my insurance rates, I get a say in it.
by 1VNVet July 4, 2011 2:53 PM EDT
jimatmadison - Then stop having kids, because that raises your insurance rates more than any other single issue!!!!!
by Gimmeafb July 4, 2011 1:00 PM EDT
Well, two good things could come from this: 1) He set a great example for wearing a helmet and 2) I hope he was an organ donor.
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by jimatmadison July 4, 2011 1:54 PM EDT
It's unlikely that a 55-year old biker had the liver, kidneys, or cardio system to be an organ donor.
by midvale3 July 4, 2011 12:52 PM EDT
Define irony......
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by skithebumps July 4, 2011 12:18 PM EDT
Too bad one guy has to go down to make the point.

Didn't Gary Busey suffer brain damage because he didn't wear his helmet? He lived but now he's kind of nuts.
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by Gimmeafb July 4, 2011 12:53 PM EDT
He never was all there to begin with.
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