Bicycle Helmets and Legislated Common Sense

Have a problem that needs a solution? Just ask the United States Government. Chances are they have an agency who's mission statement is to provide you, the American Citizen with an answer. If there is not an entire agency, then there is at the very least a federal law.
A commercial for bicycle helmets prompted me to do some research. Of the 9,686 people who have died in an accident involving a bicycle from 1994-2006, 24% were considered legally intoxicated (A blood alcohol level of .08 or higher), and the majority of the accidents occurred between the hours of 6-9pm in the summer. In 17% of these cases the deceased was wearing a helmet for safety. (Figures from www.bhsi.org). We have laws in 22 states that say you must wear a helmet while riding a bicycle, but no laws saying that you may not ride a bicycle while you are drunk between the hours of 6-9 pm during the summer.
How about all these laws stating that you have to wear a seat belt or not smoke tobacco products in public? And while we're at it, how about where all these stupid laws that waste your time, my time, and both of our taxpayers' dollars stem from anyway? From lawsuits, that's where.
America has become such a ridiculous society. The public at large cannot accept the responsibility for their actions, or the consequences those actions bring. Your kid rode his bike in the middle of the street when a car was coming?You could always sue the driver, the bike manufacturer, and the helmet maker. Or you could accept that because you were the bad parent who didn't take the responsibility to instill very basic safety concepts in your child (because you assumed that the public school system would do it for you) they are now hurt.
Because we are now a lawsuit nation, nothing is ever our fault. It is not the crimnal's fault, it's the weapons manufacturer. It's not my fault I smoked, it's the tobacco company's fault. The list goes on and on.
Bottom Line: Think before you act, take responsibility, and can someone please make a law against frivolous lawsuits?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Edam,
I decided to indulge you in my latest rant. :)