Helmet laws State By State Comparison

[Groundhawg]

Sorry if this has been posted before. I discovered this website that gives state by state requirements for bicycle and motorcycle helmet laws. These laws were affective as of august 2004. Laws do tend to change.
So some of the information may be no longer valid.

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2004/12/06/295535.html

[amahana1]

The Utah laws are still acurate.

[UmneyDurak]

I don't see the point of this thread. I wear a helmet not because of some law, but because I want my nuggin to be in one piece after a crash.

[amahana1]

I don't see the point of this thread. I wear a helmet not because of some law, but because I want my nuggin to be in one piece after a crash.

For some riders, having a law that says they dont have to wear a helmet is good enough of an excuse not to wear one. This is an old and tired debate! (to wear or not to wear a helmet)

I wear one too, for the very same reason you do.

The thread is relevant because a lot of people dont have the first clue about state cycling laws in their own state.

[Groundhawg]

I forgot to mention the reason I posted this. I've saw a couple of threads pertaining to helmet laws in peoples home state. These people wanted to know what their state laws were in a particular state. I came across this website and thought it would help a lot of people concerning the helmet laws of each state.

Should have mentioned this in my first post. I agree the helmet law has been debated to death. This post was for info purposes only.

[amahana1]

I forgot to mention the reason I posted this. I've saw a couple of threads pertaining to helmet laws in peoples home state. These people wanted to know what their state laws were in a particular state. I came across this website and thought it would help a lot of people concerning the helmet laws of each state.

Should have mentioned this in my first post. I agree the helmet law has been debated to death. This post was for info purposes only.

Yes for sure. I was happy to see that website you linked up too.

[ADAJackMcCoy]

Much better site:

http://www.helmets.org/mandator.htm

[CRUM]

While Maine has a helmet law in place, it is more of a suggestion than a law. There are no punitive measures taken if you do not wear a helmet. Citations may be written, but it is more like they are just recording your failure to adhere to what is essentially an unenforcable law. Where the Maine law comes into play is in the instance of accidents. If a cyclist is hurt in an accident and they were not wearing their helmet, their ability to sue is cut way back, because the state contends they were negligent themselves by not wearing a helemt. Civil court is where the Maine law has some impact.

[phinney]

Thanks for the lists. I'm looking at relocating and this makes it easy to find the nanny states.

[DieselDan]

South Carolina does NOT have a helmet law. Counties and incorperated areas can pass local ordinances requiring them. I personally don't know of one yet.

[phantomcow2]

yea i know NH doesnt have any helmet laws, i dont know why

[ADAJackMcCoy]

yea i know NH doesnt have any helmet laws, i dont know why
"Live free or die"

[Groundhawg]

yea i know NH doesnt have any helmet laws, i dont know why If I counted correctly, 27 states have no helmet laws. That's over half the states with no helmet laws.

[CRUM]

If I counted correctly, 27 states have no helmet laws. That's over half the states with no helmet laws.

Is that a problem you see needing a fix? Personally, I think helmet laws are stupid. I wear a helmet every time I ride because I choose to, not because I have to by law. We are way over legislated. Helmet laws are a perfect example of that tendency.

[phantomcow2]

Yea i know this live free or die thing. I dont know i just think there should be something, i have seen time and time again a motorcycle accident on 95. It certainly would not hurt those victims if they wore a helmet