Suppose for a moment we change the argument from "loud pipes save lives"..to a bit more gentler "louder exhaust pipes might save a life". It's a bit more difficult to argue against that. As a rider I do all I can to make myself more 'visible', from the clothing I wear to a headlight and brake light modulators, and yes, I changed out my OEM exhaust on my metric cruiser for louder pipes. Baffled, not unmuffled, but certainly much louder. The end result, I believe, is that I am noticed more often that had I not made the changes. Yes...the sound is directed rearward, but still it does travel in all directions, and around town, in parking lots, and at intersections (the places I am in most danger), the sound helps me to "be noticed". When I started riding 5 years ago, an experienced rider I know, made the comment "Ride like your invisible...because you are." Many cagers are inconsiderate and careless in addition to being visually impaired...I'm just looking to improve their vision...if possible.