Helmet Law (it is here)
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,600
Likes: 7
From: Minnesota
RE: Helmet Law (it is here)
Explain how there could possibly be a Federally mandated helmet law. I know of no other Federal traffic laws. Would violations send you to Federal courts and be prosecuted by U.S. attorneys?
How they do it is by withholding Federal Highway funds if the state doesn't enact certain laws. Blood alcohol levels for instance.
How they do it is by withholding Federal Highway funds if the state doesn't enact certain laws. Blood alcohol levels for instance.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,290
Likes: 1
From: Columbus, Ga
RE: Helmet Law (it is here)
Seems to me that if you're old enough to die in service in the armed forces of the country, and have health insurance (to keep me from paying for your head injury, etc), then It ought to be your choice as to whether or not to wear a helmet - and no one else should make the choice for you.
But there are people who drive without a license, so what's to stop a biker from going helmetless and yet not have health insurance to cover him/her if they loose it on the highway and get hit by a cage. I don't see how we can say "tough", he ain't got insurance, let him do the best he can. No, he's gonna get the attention he needs and guess who's gonna pay for it?
Of course, if he's got a helmet and no insurance, it's the same situation.
Hack
But there are people who drive without a license, so what's to stop a biker from going helmetless and yet not have health insurance to cover him/her if they loose it on the highway and get hit by a cage. I don't see how we can say "tough", he ain't got insurance, let him do the best he can. No, he's gonna get the attention he needs and guess who's gonna pay for it?
Of course, if he's got a helmet and no insurance, it's the same situation.
Hack
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
RE: Helmet Law (it is here)
I know of one federal motorcycle law.
It comes under the truckers highway safety laws and allows modulating headlights on motorcycles
Iy will be very easy for the feds to pass a helmet law under highway safety rules.
It comes under the truckers highway safety laws and allows modulating headlights on motorcycles
Iy will be very easy for the feds to pass a helmet law under highway safety rules.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 447
Likes: 1
From: Dallas
RE: Helmet Law (it is here)
I have gone thru all the stages over the past35 years on bikes; first DOT 3/4 helmets, then no helmet, then a "cheater helmet" and now I wear a DOT 1/2 helmet.Frankly the DOT 1/2 helmet is more comfortable to me than thecheater helmet was.I couldnt wear a full face helmet for a million bucks though, even though they are probably safer. I still think as long as you have health insurance you should have the right to chose, they dont make people in convertibles wear helmets.
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
RE: Helmet Law (it is here)
When I was stationed in NC a while back my father in law at the time recieved one of these lovely tickets. He basically went to cort and showed it had a dot sticker on it then asked for a list of DOT approved helmets. Turns out there is no such list and the cort dropped the charges.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 59
Likes: 1
From: NE FL.
RE: Helmet Law (it is here)
If you want to keep your right to ride join the AMA they are always fighting for uswhen govt. trys to interfere.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,523
Likes: 1
From: South Florida
RE: Helmet Law (it is here)
[sm=smarty.gif]Another reason to love florida besides riding all year long,,,,,
"No helmet Required"
[sm=happy046.gif][sm=smarty.gif][sm=smarty.gif][sm=smarty.gif]
"No helmet Required"
[sm=happy046.gif][sm=smarty.gif][sm=smarty.gif][sm=smarty.gif]
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Helmet Law (it is here)
helmets are a false sense of security. If you look up the SNELL and DOT standards, they aren't that confidance inspiring. Basically, at freeway speeds, it'll be the difference in an open vs closed casket. Personally, I don't like the wind buffeting, loss of hearing ability, and blind spots that helmets create. I think riding defensivly is the best way to avoid crashing. I know there are two riders, one that has dropped a bike, and those who havn't yet. But, the way I ride, I'm much more likely to go down due to a car running into me than I am crashing cause of my own error. Bottom line, I don't wear one and I don't like states that try to make me.