Isle of Man TT - pretty shocking stats

[The Camel]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/motorsport/22684974

21 deaths in 13 years is totally unacceptable imo.

I knew it was dangerous but had no idea so many had died

It's a relic from the 1950s and surely it is time to bin it?

[AndrewT]

If nutcases want to race bikes round windy roads at 150mph in the rain then that's their business.

Also absolutely no chance it would be banned because the Isle of Man makes its own laws and the TT is by quite a distance the biggest tourism draw the island has.

[The Camel]

If nutcases want to race bikes round windy roads at 150mph in the rain then that's their business.

Also absolutely no chance it would be banned because the Isle of Man makes its own laws and the TT is by quite a distance the biggest tourism draw the island has.

When you consider the hoo har when a boxer dies, the dangerousness of boxing pales into insignificance when compared to this event.

[TightEnd]

214 riders have died in 75 years I think, if I recall an article I read correctly

[jonjo75]

People have their own minds and make their own choices.
It is not the goverments responsability to decide what risks we can or can not take.The goverment should only get involved if those risks pose a danger or affect other people who have not made that decision.

[The Camel]

People have their own minds and make their own choices.
It is not the goverments responsability to decide what risks we can or can not take.The goverment should only get involved if those risks pose a danger or affect other people who have not made that decision.

Seat belts?

Drug taking?

Crash helmets for motor cyclists?

Could sit here all night writing this list.

[jonjo75]

This list is exactly what I mean.
I don't think the government has a right to make us do/not do any of those things. Children yes but free thinking adults no.
I always put my seat belt on and don't do drugs but that is my decision. I have never understood how the goverment can decide what drugs you can take and what ones you cannot. Why is one plant illegal another not?
Where does the nanny state end? Rugby,Boxing, Fishing? It will just go on and on and on.

[outragous76]

People have their own minds and make their own choices.
It is not the goverments responsability to decide what risks we can or can not take.The goverment should only get involved if those risks pose a danger or affect other people who have not made that decision.

Seat belts?

Drug taking?

Crash helmets for motor cyclists?

Could sit here all night writing this list.

The TT guys know the risk they are taking, they only endanger themselves(spectators know the risks too and are usually not where riders are killed), and they ride for a buzz/for the sport.

let them get on with it IMO

[GaryM]

Motorsport is by definition a dangerous sport and one of the few freedoms left to the human race where we can, of our own free will, do something that might injure or kill us just for the pure thrill. The TT is statistically the most dangerous but the stats I just Googled say the TOTAL recorded motorsport fatalities (including driver, passenger, spectator, track official, emergency services et al) are 6892 since records began internationally. There are around 12000 deaths each year from people using stairs in the USA alone if the stats are to be believed.

[redsimon]

Motorsport is by definition a dangerous sport and one of the few freedoms left to the human race where we can, of our own free will, do something that might injure or kill us just for the pure thrill. The TT is statistically the most dangerous but the stats I just Googled say the TOTAL recorded motorsport fatalities (including driver, passenger, spectator, track official, emergency services et al) are 6892 since records began internationally. There are around 12000 deaths each year from people using stairs in the USA alone if the stats are to be believed.

LOL

How many people in total use stairs and how often though and how many attend or take part in motor sports!

[GaryM]

Motorsport is by definition a dangerous sport and one of the few freedoms left to the human race where we can, of our own free will, do something that might injure or kill us just for the pure thrill. The TT is statistically the most dangerous but the stats I just Googled say the TOTAL recorded motorsport fatalities (including driver, passenger, spectator, track official, emergency services et al) are 6892 since records began internationally. There are around 12000 deaths each year from people using stairs in the USA alone if the stats are to be believed.

LOL

How many people in total use stairs and how often though and how many attend or take part in motor sports!

No question mark so I assume that's a rhetorical scoff

[kinboshi]

Motorsport is by definition a dangerous sport and one of the few freedoms left to the human race where we can, of our own free will, do something that might injure or kill us just for the pure thrill. The TT is statistically the most dangerous but the stats I just Googled say the TOTAL recorded motorsport fatalities (including driver, passenger, spectator, track official, emergency services et al) are 6892 since records began internationally. There are around 12000 deaths each year from people using stairs in the USA alone if the stats are to be believed.

LOL

How many people in total use stairs and how often though and how many attend or take part in motor sports!

Yeah, trousers kill more people than chainsaws every year - but it doesn't mean trousers are more dangerous than chainsaws.

Anyway, back to the TT.  It's one of those sports where there are a high number of injuries and fatalities.  Others include show-jumping, powerboat racing, and of course some other motorsports.  I guess it's the right of the participants to take part and they are aware of the risks.  I think it's different to the general public and seatbelts, etc., as a lot of the general public need to be protected from their stupidity and the wearing of seatbelts becoming mandatory has probably saved a lot of lives and probably a lot of expense for the soon-to-be-departed NHS.

On a similar theme: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-22681708

[GaryM]

Motorsport is by definition a dangerous sport and one of the few freedoms left to the human race where we can, of our own free will, do something that might injure or kill us just for the pure thrill. The TT is statistically the most dangerous but the stats I just Googled say the TOTAL recorded motorsport fatalities (including driver, passenger, spectator, track official, emergency services et al) are 6892 since records began internationally. There are around 12000 deaths each year from people using stairs in the USA alone if the stats are to be believed.

LOL

How many people in total use stairs and how often though and how many attend or take part in motor sports!

Yeah, trousers kill more people than chainsaws every year - but it doesn't mean trousers are more dangerous than chainsaws.

Anyway, back to the TT.  It's one of those sports where there are a high number of injuries and fatalities.  Others include show-jumping, powerboat racing, and of course some other motorsports.  I guess it's the right of the participants to take part and they are aware of the risks.  I think it's different to the general public and seatbelts, etc., as a lot of the general public need to be protected from their stupidity and the wearing of seatbelts becoming mandatory has probably saved a lot of lives and probably a lot of expense for the soon-to-be-departed NHS.

On a similar theme: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-22681708

Trousers and stairs kill more people than chainsaws and motorsports. frequency is a factor, of course but perception of risk and the resulting care taken is another. My point was about freedom of choice though.

[tikay]

This list is exactly what I mean.
I don't think the government has a right to make us do/not do any of those things. Children yes but free thinking adults no.
I always put my seat belt on and don't do drugs but that is my decision. I have never understood how the goverment can decide what drugs you can take and what ones you cannot. Why is one plant illegal another not?
Where does the nanny state end? Rugby,Boxing, Fishing? It will just go on and on and on.

Jonjo,

Are you the chap from next door? If so, welcome to blonde.

I enjoy your Posts there, good solid constructive stuff. (Car crash hands etc)

If you are not the same chap, bugger off.

[tikay]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/motorsport/22684974

21 deaths in 13 years is totally unacceptable imo.

I knew it was dangerous but had no idea so many had died

It's a relic from the 1950s and surely it is time to bin it?

The thread has all sorts of views, Keith, but I find it quite curious that there is (wholly correctly) a hue & cry when a boxer dies from injuries, or even when horses are killed in the Grand National or at Cheltenham - "BAN THE GRAND NATIONAL" sorta thing, & yet the deaths every year at the TT races continue to raise barely a murmer.

I would also suggest (though I don't have the stats to back this up) that there are a lot more rider fatalaties at the Manx GP then at the TT, the former being more of an amateur affair.  For whatever reason, the TT gets a lot more media coverage than the Manx GP, but they are on the same course, just 2 months apart.

In 2005, the worst year I can recall, an astonishing NINE riders were killed, 3 at the TT, & 6 at the Manx. NINE!

I'm not arguing for or against the TT or the Manx, I've seen both many times, & used to be a huge follower, but 9 deaths in a single year beggars belief in a civilised world, it is almost barbaric.