I've spend a little time sliding on my head at 25 mph and I love my helmet!
Helmets may not prevent all head injuries but they will prevent almost all cases of head road rash and a decent amount of face road rash if you are sliding on your side. Gloves don't stop broken wrists either but they'll keep the skin on your palms in some situations. I know the window of crashes where you'd die without a helmet but live with one is pretty narrow, but I never leave home without my helmet, or my gloves. There is more to going to work on Monday or sleeping comfortably post crash than just being alive ;-)
Helmets may not prevent all head injuries but they will prevent almost all cases of head road rash and a decent amount of face road rash if you are sliding on your side. Gloves don't stop broken wrists either but they'll keep the skin on your palms in some situations. I know the window of crashes where you'd die without a helmet but live with one is pretty narrow, but I never leave home without my helmet, or my gloves. There is more to going to work on Monday or sleeping comfortably post crash than just being alive ;-)