LaVar Arrington In Motorcycle Accident

[Mc2guy]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

A couple things:

I don't doubt that riding a motorcycle can be done safely if properly trained. And I don't doubt that most motorbike accidents are the result of the rider doing something wrong.

But at the same time, it's still riskier than a car. If you drive a car safely and properly, and you drive a motorcycle safely and properly, the chances of you being in an accident are both about the same. You keep the probability of an accident nice and low by driving safely and defensively, whether you're on a bike or in a car. But the difference is with accidents caused by some other moron driver. You can't stop other people from driving drunk, running red lights, or looking back to scold little Johnny for punching little Mikey. If you're in a car, and you get in an accident at 25 MPH, you get out of the car and you exchange insurance information, and go on your merry way. On a motorbike at 25 MPH, you're thrown from the bike and seriously hurt (possibly killed depending on how you land). That's the difference. The margin for error is smaller on a bike, because ANY accident can severely eff you up.

But I generally agree that the main reason Lavar is a retard for this one is because he depends on his body for his livelihood, and he didn't have a license.

As for the sensitivity stuff, I think it's nice that some of you guys are sensitive to Lavar and touchy feely about not discussing motorcycle safety until a grace period goes by. But I'm not sensitive and I'm not sorry about it. I'd like to discuss motorcycle safety, if you'd like to be sensitive you don't have to discuss it with me. I just hope the board doesn't go all censorship on these types of discussions just to be sensitive.

Schneed,

Since Lavar is likely going to be fine, I don't have a problem with this debate right now. Your point that riding a bike is inherently more dangerous due to the higher likelihood of injury is well taken and I don't dispute you, but the same arguement could be applied to cars too. Convertibles, small cars, sports cars, pickups for example all represent much higher injury/fatality rates than minivans. Does that mean we all should drive minivans, or that it is "dumb" to drive a smaller car? How about riding a bicycle or walking? More pedestrians are killed per mile traveled than any other mode of transportation in this country...should we label walking as "dumb?"

Motorvehicle transportation has inherent risks no matter what you drive/ride/fly. Just ask the families of the roughly 50,000 people a year who die in auto accidents each year, or of the 3500 who die on motorcycles. My point is that proper training and discipline can mitigate the lion share of those risks. You will never eliminate the risk of a freak accident, but you can put the odds in your favor.

My point is that your choice of transportation has less do with that risk than your behavior while operating your vehicle of choice. Hence I take issue with your labeling motorcycles as "dumb."

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by Mc2guy

Schneed,

Since Lavar is likely going to be fine, I don't have a problem with this debate right now. Your point that riding a bike is inherently more dangerous due to the higher likelihood of injury is well taken and I don't dispute you, but the same arguement could be applied to cars too. Convertibles, small cars, sports cars, pickups for example all represent much higher injury/fatality rates than minivans. Does that mean we all should drive minivans, or that it is "dumb" to drive a smaller car? How about riding a bicycle or walking? More pedestrians are killed per mile traveled than any other mode of transportation in this country...should we label walking as "dumb?"

Motorvehicle transportation has inherent risks no matter what you drive/ride/fly. Just ask the families of the roughly 50,000 people a year who die in auto accidents each year, or of the 3500 who die on motorcycles. My point is that proper training and discipline can mitigate the lion share of those risks. You will never eliminate the risk of a freak accident, but you can put the odds in your favor.

My point is that your choice of transportation has less do with that risk than your behavior while operating your vehicle of choice. Hence I take issue with your labeling motorcycles as "dumb."

Yeah your point is valid.

First, I do think driving a small car like a Porsche is pretty dumb. They're dreadfully unsafe in crashes. So you're right, the same logic I'm applying to motorcycles definitely applies to very small cars (especially fast ones).

But I do agree that you can mitigate a lot of the risk by driving safely. Just not as much as you could by driving a car safely. That's why I just can never in a million years understand the decision to ride a motorbike, no matter how safely you operate it. It doesn't make logical sense.

But then again riding a bike isn't about logic. People just like it. And to me, doing something that doesn't make the most sense in favor of doing something fun is by definition, unsmart.

But yeah, it's not as unsmart as driving a motorbike recklessly.

[Mc2guy]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Yeah your point is valid.

First, I do think driving a small car like a Porsche is pretty dumb. They're dreadfully unsafe in crashes. So you're right, the same logic I'm applying to motorcycles definitely applies to very small cars (especially fast ones).

But I do agree that you can mitigate a lot of the risk by driving safely. Just not as much as you could by driving a car safely. That's why I just can never in a million years understand the decision to ride a motorbike, no matter how safely you operate it. It doesn't make logical sense.

But then again riding a bike isn't about logic. People just like it. And to me, doing something that doesn't make the most sense in favor of doing something fun is by definition, unsmart.

But yeah, it's not as unsmart as driving a motorbike recklessly.

Fair enough, but making the "most sense" by your definition is a subjective issue. What makes "sense" to you may not to others, so keep that in mind. I don't think commuting to work by yourself in a giant gas guzzling SUV makes any "sense" but a lot of other people seem to disagree with me, so I'll chalk that up to differing sensibilities. That's what makes this country great, the personal freedom to make choices that others can't understand.

BTW I am not poking at your logic, but it is my experience that people who "don't get" riding a motorcycle will never understand. It's like the old WP radio ads..."if you don't get it, you don't get it." No amount of explanation is going to make you understand why people ride... it's in your genes or it isn't. Don't just call it unsmart because you don't understand it. I believe it is dumb to live your life concentrating on how not to die so you can end up crusty and old with limited life experiences.

Under your thread of logic any behavior that isn't the safest possible alternative is "dumb". In that case I want to see you start calling every single footballer we so vigorously cheer for dumb, because they are doing something risky.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by Mc2guy

Fair enough, but making the "most sense" by your definition is a subjective issue. What makes "sense" to you may not to others, so keep that in mind. I don't think commuting to work by yourself in a giant gas guzzling SUV makes any "sense" but a lot of other people seem to disagree with me, so I'll chalk that up to differing sensibilities. That's what makes this country great, the personal freedom to make choices that others can't understand.

BTW I am not poking at your logic, but it is my experience that people who "don't get" riding a motorcycle will never understand. It's like the old WP radio ads..."if you don't get it, you don't get it." No amount of explanation is going to make you understand why people ride... it's in your genes or it isn't. Don't just call it unsmart because you don't understand it. I believe it is dumb to live your life concentrating on how not to die so you can end up crusty and old with limited life experiences.

Under your thread of logic any behavior that isn't the safest possible alternative is "dumb". In that case I want to see you start calling every single footballer we so vigorously cheer for dumb, because they are doing something risky.

You make a good argument. When making any decision, you weigh risks vs rewards. I see the risks associated with riding a bike as significant, and I think you recognize the risks as well. Where we differ is the reward. I perceive no reward from riding a bike because I see cars/motorbikes as strictly a means of transportation and not at all a joy, but you get a big kick out of bikes. So you're right, definitely chalk that up to differences between us and so I have to admit you are right on that one: to each his own.

With football, I'd perceive the reward (millions of dollars) to be well worth the risks (aches, pains, trouble walking later in life, and a tiny risk of paralysis).

So in the end, I'll retract. I can't call riding motorcycles "dumb" as a general blanket statement. But I will say that, as in Lavar's case, if you have kids and a spouse depending upon you for livelihood, then riding a motorcycle would be considered selfish and a poor decision for their sake.

[Mc2guy]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

You make a good argument. When making any decision, you weigh risks vs rewards. I see the risks associated with riding a bike as significant, and I think you recognize the risks as well. Where we differ is the reward. I perceive no reward from riding a bike because I see cars/motorbikes as strictly a means of transportation and not at all a joy, but you get a big kick out of bikes. So you're right, definitely chalk that up to differences between us and so I have to admit you are right on that one: to each his own.

With football, I'd perceive the reward (millions of dollars) to be well worth the risks (aches, pains, trouble walking later in life, and a tiny risk of paralysis).

So in the end, I'll retract. I can't call riding motorcycles "dumb" as a general blanket statement. But I will say that, as in Lavar's case, if you have kids and a spouse depending upon you for livelihood, then riding a motorcycle would be considered selfish and a poor decision for their sake.

Agreed. Now that I am off my soapbox I'll let you in on a little secret. Upon learning of my wife's pregnancy, I quit riding and sold my bike. I won't be riding until our son is at least in college. The risk of not being able to be a father to him was much greater than the personal reward I recieve from riding. Others will have a different opinion.

I can only hope that Lavar was wise with the money he made and is financially prepared for life after football. Frankly, with his personality, I think he could transition well to broadcasting with a little practice.

I wish him a speedy recovery.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by Mc2guy

Agreed. Now that I am off my soapbox I'll let you in on a little secret. Upon learning of my wife's pregnancy, I quit riding and sold my bike. I won't be riding until our son is at least in college. The risk of not being able to be a father to him was much greater than the personal reward I recieve from riding. Others will have a different opinion.

I can only hope that Lavar was wise with the money he made and is financially prepared for life after football. Frankly, with his personality, I think he could transition well to broadcasting with a little practice.

I wish him a speedy recovery.

I admire that sacrifice you made to ensure you'd be there for your child. I'd definitely call that being a good dad.

As for Lavar, I do hope he gets better, which it sounds like he will. He's lucky, he can still be around to be a good father to his young'ns. Hopefully he thinks twice about heading out on the motorbike in the future, for their sake.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

I admire that sacrifice you made to ensure you'd be there for your child. I'd definitely call that being a good dad.

As for Lavar, I do hope he gets better, which it sounds like he will. He's lucky, he can still be around to be a good father to his young'ns. Hopefully he thinks twice about heading out on the motorbike in the future, for their sake.

Well, heading out on a motorbike is fine...but how about get a license first? At least he was smart enough to wear a helmet.

[T.O.Killa]

Give the guy a break. He was the best thing to happen to the Redskins in the last ten years. I know this sound crazy, but I fantasized that he would come back and play for the Skins. I hope the best for him, and I hope he finds a way back on the field.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by T.O.Killa

Give the guy a break. He was the best thing to happen to the Redskins in the last ten years. I know this sound crazy, but I fantasized that he would come back and play for the Skins. I hope the best for him, and I hope he finds a way back on the field.

I mean I wish him a healthy recovery, but "the best thing to happen to the Redskins in the last ten years"

Seriously? You're kidding right?

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by T.O.Killa

Give the guy a break. He was the best thing to happen to the Redskins in the last ten years. I know this sound crazy, but I fantasized that he would come back and play for the Skins. I hope the best for him, and I hope he finds a way back on the field.

I wouldn't call him the "best thing", but he was good for the Skins, and I think we all forget that.

[skinsfan_nn]

Originally Posted by T.O.Killa

Give the guy a break. He was the best thing to happen to the Redskins in the last ten years. I know this sound crazy, but I fantasized that he would come back and play for the Skins. I hope the best for him, and I hope he finds a way back on the field.

I wish nothing but the best and a speedy recovery for LA. However, I really hope that's a joke.........? If not your better off living in that fantasy land.

[JDALY27]

Why would a guy who just got cut due to injuries be riding around on a crotch rocket before he got signed for 2007?

MORON!

[irish]

Originally Posted by JDALY27

Why would a guy who just got cut due to injuries be riding around on a crotch rocket before he got signed for 2007?

MORON!

I think LA was beginning the process of putting football behind him and starting the rest of his life. He was out in Bowie on a business trip concerning the sports bar he is opening. Deep down I think LA knew his football career is over but this accident crystalizes that fact in his mind.