| The governing authorities of the United States have | | | | exception of four states, all others have helmet laws |
| always emphasized the need to wear helmets. Even | | | | in one form or the other. For example, in states like |
| though this is a standing instruction, many people | | | | Arkansas, Florida, Texas, Rhodes Island, Pennsylvania, |
| flout it openly as they feel that riding without the | | | | Kentucky and South Carolina it is mandatory for |
| helmet is much more stylish than riding with it. Not | | | | every adult biker to wear a helmet. There are some |
| only does the helmet protect the biker from harsh | | | | states which advocate the use of full helmets, while |
| weather conditions, it can also protect your skull | | | | there are others where you can get away by |
| from near-fatal accidents. It's extremely important to | | | | wearing a half helmet. |
| understand why authorities are so strict about | | | | There are some states where helmets are absolutely |
| helmets, and therefore we need to look at the past | | | | necessary, and therefore people who never wear |
| and present legislations regarding helmets to | | | | their protective headgear are in for trouble here. |
| understand this better. | | | | However, it's always advised that you wear your |
| Past Laws about Motorbike Helmets | | | | helmet whenever you are riding a bike because |
| The first law regarding helmets was passed in 1957 | | | | flouting the rules means having to pay a hefty fine. |
| with regard to getting funds for construction | | | | Fines for not wearing helmets vary around $150. To |
| purposes. Within ten years of the legislation, as many | | | | prevent trouble, it's best to carry the names of the |
| as forty states had already adopted it. By 1975, the | | | | states with you when you go out. |
| law had been adopted by all the states except three. | | | | The legislations on helmets have changed the safety |
| Even though the Helmet Laws have constantly been | | | | scenario in many of the states. Whether it's due to |
| amended since then, the states still go by the original | | | | fear of being caught flouting laws, or as a |
| law and have made riding with helmets a mandatory | | | | precautionary measure, the use of helmets have |
| law. | | | | considerably gone up ever since the laws have been |
| Factors Responsible for the Implementation of the | | | | implemented throughout the country. The laws have |
| Laws | | | | therefore gone a long way in making people more |
| The first reason why helmets are important is | | | | concerned about this basic safety measure. The |
| because they protect you incase of a road accident, | | | | police also find it easier to nab bike thieves because |
| the chances of which increase considerably if you're | | | | most don't wear helmets and are therefore easy to |
| on a bike. Motorbikes are more vulnerable to crashes | | | | identify. |
| than four wheelers, and because they are all open, | | | | Most importantly, the helmet laws have saved lives |
| the biker is more susceptible to head injury. | | | | by making helmets mandatory. The number of |
| If you're a biker and often go on long distance trips, | | | | deaths in road accidents have gone down since these |
| you'd do good to familiarize yourself with the helmet | | | | laws came into being. |
| laws prevalent in the various states. With the | | | | |