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Comment by stefan_ | Hacker News Reader

But a helmet will help even more. It costs nothing, what is there to reject?

I don't perceive the benefit from risk reduction of helmets in cars to overcome the hassle hurdle. But I wouldn't advocate banning others from wearing helmets in cars if they so wished.

Helmets reduce peripheral vision. I would absolutely be comfortable banning helmets in cars if people started wearing them and causing more accidents.

My bicycle helmet sits on top of my head, and has nothing to do with peripheral vision. Do you wear yours pulled down low over your forehead? If so you're doing it wrong.

The strap makes it more difficult to turn your head if it's properly tight. Probably also will hit your head on the ceiling if you're in a sedan.

I think you've been fitted into the wrong helmet. Do you really think MTB riders have any more difficulty turning their heads? It's not the case. And to back up what the other person said: modern road and XC/enduro MTB helmets do not obstruct peripheral vision unless it also has a non-retractable visor. Even modern full-face helmets limit vision less than you might think.

A competent bike helmet costs little, but not nothing; maybe $20 to start, and a little extra weight, and it messes up your hair a bit, takes seconds to put on if already adjusted and maybe a minute otherwise. May remove a bit of vision, but only vertically up.

A competent car helmet is probably a motorcycle helmet, which is more like $100 to start, but it impacts hearing, reduces vision in all directions, is a significant weight, usually doesn't adjust much for sizing, takes longer to put on (especially if you wear eyeglasses).

A bike helmet in a car would likely be more trouble than anything, it would interfere with the headrests and probably increase neck injuries.

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