Do Motorcyclists Have to Wear a Helmet in California?
California is a riders’ paradise thanks to its great year-round weather and picturesque countryside. Often the image you get of riding in California is being on an open road with sunglasses and the wind blowing through the hair.
While the idea seems cool, it may not be the safest way to enjoy your ride. Riding without a helmet increases your chances of dying in a crash by 37 and 41 percent for riders and passengers, respectively. As a result, some states have mandated wearing a helmet for all riders when on the road.
If you are wondering about Californian’s approach to helmets for riders, this guide is for you.
Helmet Requirements in California
California is among 19 states that mandate helmets for all riders on public roads. So if you are fantasizing about riding in a T-shirt with your hair flowing with the wind, that will not be possible without breaking the law. Not only is it illegal to ride a motorcycle without a helmet, but a helmeted passenger will be breaking the law if they are riding with a rider that is not helmeted.
California helmet laws were enacted in 1992 in response to increased injuries and fatalities recorded throughout the state. Following the enactment, motorcycle-related fatalities fell by 37% in the following year.
The helmet law is not limited to motorcycles. It includes riders of all motorized bicycles and motor-driven cycles.
What Is a Safe Helmet Per California Laws?
Only DOT-approved helmets are allowable for use by riders in California. Minimum standards for DOT-approved helmets include having at least a 1-inch thick layer of polystyrene foam, secure chin straps, at least three pounds in weight, and being designed with protrusions of at least two-tenths from the shell.
How to Wear a Helmet
California helmet laws are pretty rigid and leave almost no wiggle room. They extend to specifying how a helmet should be worn so you do not just pick and drop it on your head.
The helmet has to fit well and be strapped to reduce the chances of wobbling during a ride. Failing to follow helmet-wearing guidelines can see you getting some form of citation at a stop.
Penalties for Not Wearing a Helmet
The greatest motivation for wearing a motorcycle helmet should be upholding your safety. But if that doesn’t motivate you enough, the penalties for not wearing one should. If you are caught riding without a helmet, you risk fines of up to $250 and a year’s probation.
The consequences of not wearing a helmet become much more significant if you get in an accident. Besides increasing your chances of suffering severe injuries or even death, not having a helmet during an accident can significantly compromise your claim’s value since California is a comparative negligence state.
This means the amount of compensation you can recover will be affected by your percentage of fault in the accident and outcomes.
Not All States Require a Motorcycle Helmet
As earlier stated, not all states require riders to wear helmets. States without defined helmet laws include Illinois, Iowa, and New Hampshire. But just because the states do not have universal helmet laws does not mean riding without one is a good idea since it can save your life in an accident.
It is not uncommon to get caught up in a motorcycle collision where you are not at fault. Under such circumstances, it is important to seek the help of a motorcycle accident attorney, irrespective of whether you had a helmet on or not when the accident happened.
Final Words
California helmet laws are designed to save lives. So if for no other reason, wear one to ensure you make it home alive or better your outcome when you get into an unavoidable accident.
