Multiple choice

Directions: For this question, select the best of the answer choices given.

Opponents of laws that require motorcycle riders to wear helmets argue that in a free society people have the right to take risks as long as the people do not harm others as a result of taking the risks. As a result, they conclude that it should be each person's decision whether or not to wear a helmet. Which of the following, if true, seriously weakens the conclusion drawn above?

  1. Many new motorcycles are built with safety features that made them less likely to be involved in an accident.

  2. Motorcycle insurance rates for all motorcycle owners are higher because of the need to pay for the increased injuries or deaths of people not wearing helmets.

  3. Participants in certain extreme sports are required to wear helmets.

  4. The rate of automobile fatalities in states that do not have mandatory helmet laws is greater than the rate of fatalities in states that do have such laws.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Provided they do not thereby harm others fails to justify the individual's right to decide not to wear a helmet if it can be shown that it does harm others by raising insurance rates.

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