Question

Not every state has laws that require motorcyclist to wear helmets even though they have been shown to reduce the severity of the injuries in the event of an accident. States without these laws have weighed the criterion of ____ more strongly than effectiveness.

Answer 1

Some states prioritize personal freedom over mandatory helmet use, reflecting a balance between public welfare and individual autonomy.

Step-by-step explanation:

Not every state has laws that require motorcyclists to wear helmets, even though such safety gear has been shown to reduce the severity of injuries in accidents. States that opt-out of mandating helmet use have often prioritized the criterion of personal freedom over the criterion of effectiveness.

This reflects the balance that governments try to achieve between protecting public welfare and respecting individual autonomy. Measures like safety belts and helmets, as well as vehicle designs that crumple upon impact, clearly demonstrate the benefit of increased safety standards.

However, the tension between collective safety and individual rights remains a contentious issue in many policy discussions.