| Motorcycle helmets may not seem all that important | | | | Vehicle Safety Standard 218. It is one of the three |
| when you think about it. It is heavy, hot and even | | | | laws that require motorists to wear safety gears while |
| suffocating. The material may even cause break-outs | | | | in motor vehicles. The other two are the use of a |
| on the skin and even allergies. Motorcycle helmets also | | | | child-passenger safety restrains and the use of |
| keep you from enjoying the wind on your face as you | | | | seatbelts while inside the car. |
| ride. So why the hell should people wear them? The | | | | Differences in some state laws |
| answer is actually fairly simple. It can keep you from | | | | Although the same basic law is stated in all the states, |
| having a permanent disability or even keep you from | | | | there are slight differences as to the enforcement |
| dying. | | | | especially with the monetary fines. In California for |
| Take for instance the story of Don Koening who died | | | | instance, motorists must wear helmets all the time. |
| when his head hit a tree. He left his helmet on his front | | | | Helmets should not only be worn but also securely |
| porch. | | | | strapped in. In Florida, the law is somewhat a little bit |
| There are a lot of people who have suffered from | | | | more complicated. |
| permanent disability, some even died, just because | | | | Although all motorists are encouraged to wear helmets |
| they have forgotten one tiny detail, to wear their | | | | when they ride, people over 21 years old and are |
| motorcycle helmet. What is more saddening about this | | | | covered by an insurance policy that provides for at |
| is the fact that most of these people are between the | | | | least 10,000 dollars in medical assistance should an |
| ages of 16 and 24, people who still have a full life | | | | accident happen are exempted. |
| ahead of them. | | | | The helmet law also does not apply to people who |
| Laws requiring helmet use | | | | are 16 and older and are operating a motorcycle that |
| This is perhaps the reason why legislators have | | | | have a displacement of 50 cubic centimeters; does not |
| included the wearing of the motorcycle helmets in | | | | have an excess of two brake horsepower or those |
| state laws. The law also states that the helmet worn | | | | that are not capable of operating it beyond the speed |
| must also pass the criteria that are set by the | | | | of 30 miles per hour. |
| Department of Transportations Federal Motorcycle | | | | |