Risks are connected | The Salt Lake Tribune

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

I agree with Mike Eldredge about banning "cell phone usage of any type while driving" and requiring motorcycle riders to wear helmets ("Helmets and texting," Forum, Dec. 12).

I safely rode cycles for 67 years as a passenger, then we were in a cycle accident. We were wearing helmets; that is the only thing that saved us.

The girl who turned left in front of us didn't have insurance (she may also have been on the phone). The medical bills were beyond what our insurance paid, and guess who paid the rest? Us taxpayers. Not wearing a helmet can involve uninvolved taxpayers.

People who do not have insurance, who text or phone while driving and who do not wear helmets hurt more than themselves. In my case, all were connected.

Elizabeth Cooper

Sandy