Motorcycle Helmet Laws by State
Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash
Motorcycle helmet laws vary widely among the states and have changed a lot in the past half a century. Currently, 19 states and the District of Columbia have laws requiring all riders (operators and passengers) to wear a helmet, known as universal helmet laws. Laws requiring only some motorcyclists to wear a helmet are in place in 28 states. There is no motorcycle helmet use law in three states (Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire).
A motorcycle does not provide the structural protection that a car does to keep drivers safe in the event of an accident. Thus, it is imperative that motorcyclists take extra precautions to protect their body while they ride their bikes. The most important place to start is by protecting the head with modular cruiser helmets, full face helmets or any helmet that protect the head sufficiently.
Wearing a helmet while riding a bike is analogous to wearing a seatbelt while driving. When operating a motor vehicle, you are legally required to use a seatbelt, and can be cited for not wearing one. Whether or not it is required by law to wear a motorcycle helmet, you should wear a helmet whenever you ride a bike for your own safety. The head and brain is most vulnerable to injury in a motorcycle accident. Drivers and passengers wearing helmets increase their chance of survival significantly over non-helmet wearers.
It is important for motorcyclists to be aware of the risks of riding without a helmet. Riders who do not wear helmets are at risk of suffering a traumatic brain injury if they are involved in an accident. Without protection, the head is vulnerable to a traumatic impact in an accident even when traveling at low speeds.
It is not difficult to shop for a motorcycle helmet to protect your head while you are on the road on your bike. You can shop for a motorcycle helmet online or offline.
There are six basic types of motorcycle helmets, namely:
1 Full face
2 Modular (AKA Flip-up)
3 Open face (AKA ¾ helmet)
4 Half helmet (AKA brain bucket)
5 Off-road (AKA motocross helmet)
6 Dual-sport (AKA crossover, ADV, hybrid, enduro)
Even when a rider takes all possible precautions, accidents resulting in injury still occur. Get yourself a motorcycle helmet today to protect yourself. Bikebandit.com is an online store where you can find a gamut of motorcycle helmets and performance parts at affordable prices.
