4 ms·

Riding a motorcycle is suicidal. "Per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists' risk of a fatal crash is 35 times greater than a passenger car." http://en.wikiped

by rorrr 14y ago

Riding a motorcycle is suicidal. "Per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists' risk of a fatal crash is 35 times greater than a passenger car." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorcycle_safety http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorcycle_safety

brianpan 14y ago
If motorcycling is suicidal, then driving a car is murderous. "...auto collisions are the leading cause of injury-related deaths, an estimated total of 1.2 million in 2004, or 25% of the total from all causes. Of those killed by autos, nearly two-thirds are pedestrians." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automobile_safety http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automobile_safety
- rorrr 14y ago
  Yes, and people go to prison for vehicular homicides all the time. But keep in mind that not every fatal accident is considered a homicide - there are accidents, and there are many cases when the other side is responsible. Which side of the accident would you rather be on?
  - kalleboo 14y ago
    I'd rather be on the subway...
  - emmelaich 14y ago
    > not every fatal accident is considered a homicide Note that homicide merely means killing of a person (by another). It could be accidental. ref: http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/homicide http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/homicide
blake8086 14y ago
If riding a motorcycle is "suicidal", then driving a car is 1/35th as "suicidal".
- maigret 14y ago
  Yes, but the GP doesn't it that way because humans tend to under-evaluate low probability events. Forgot the name of the theory. Basically, low (so until 10% probability) are taken by most humans as "0%". I agree with your statement fully, to make that clear.
  - ot 14y ago
    Too bad it doesn't work the same for lotteries
    - maigret 14y ago
      Good point!! A quick search brings some interesting statement - basically that is the only perceived way out of poverty for many people [1]. Also the risk seems really low, because it is "rooted" in your usual budget, like cigarettes, so you don't really see the real cost. Due to the media and the advertising, the perceived chance of gain may also be increased. [1] http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-07/cmu-wpa072408.php http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-07/cmu-wpa072408...
nazgulnarsil 14y ago
the quoted figure is for motorcycling under all conditions. When you remove obvious stupid crap like riding undert he influence, riding without having had any formal instruction, and speeding, you get a figure closer to 4x as likely.

by rorrr 14y ago

brianpan 14y ago

If motorcycling is suicidal, then driving a car is murderous. "...auto collisions are the leading cause of injury-related deaths, an estimated total of 1.2 million in 2004, or 25% of the total from all causes. Of those killed by autos, nearly two-thirds are pedestrians." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automobile_safety http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automobile_safety

rorrr 14y ago
Yes, and people go to prison for vehicular homicides all the time. But keep in mind that not every fatal accident is considered a homicide - there are accidents, and there are many cases when the other side is responsible. Which side of the accident would you rather be on?
- kalleboo 14y ago
  I'd rather be on the subway...
- emmelaich 14y ago
  > not every fatal accident is considered a homicide Note that homicide merely means killing of a person (by another). It could be accidental. ref: http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/homicide http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/homicide

blake8086 14y ago

If riding a motorcycle is "suicidal", then driving a car is 1/35th as "suicidal".

maigret 14y ago
Yes, but the GP doesn't it that way because humans tend to under-evaluate low probability events. Forgot the name of the theory. Basically, low (so until 10% probability) are taken by most humans as "0%". I agree with your statement fully, to make that clear.
- ot 14y ago
  Too bad it doesn't work the same for lotteries
  - maigret 14y ago
    Good point!! A quick search brings some interesting statement - basically that is the only perceived way out of poverty for many people [1]. Also the risk seems really low, because it is "rooted" in your usual budget, like cigarettes, so you don't really see the real cost. Due to the media and the advertising, the perceived chance of gain may also be increased. [1] http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-07/cmu-wpa072408.php http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-07/cmu-wpa072408...

nazgulnarsil 14y ago

the quoted figure is for motorcycling under all conditions. When you remove obvious stupid crap like riding undert he influence, riding without having had any formal instruction, and speeding, you get a figure closer to 4x as likely.