Vermont have a law that requires motorcycle riders and passengers to wear a Yes, and it essentially applies to anyone riding on a motorcycle, whether as an operator or as a passenger, and regardless of the person’s age or level of riding experience. This kind of far-reaching statute is often referred to as a “universal” helmet law, because it applies to anyone who is on a motorcycle. By contrast, the motorcycle helmet laws in other states apply only to people who are under a certain age, such as 18 or 21. Some of Vermont’s neighbors in the northeast have a more limited version of a motorcycle helmet law -- including Connecticut, Maine, and New Hampshire -- while Massachusetts and New York have “universal” motorcycle helmet laws on their books. Vermont’s motorcycle helmet law says, “A person may not operate or ride upon a motorcycle upon a highway unless he or she properly wears protective headgear” that meets federal safety regulations. You can read the full text of Vermont’s motorcycle helmet law (although there isn’t much more to it) at 23 Vermont Stat. Ann. section 1256.

And for more motorcycle safety regulations and information for riders, check out theVermont Motorcycle Manual from the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles. If you violate Vermont’s motorcycle helmet law, you may have more than a traffic citation to worry about. If you get into a motorcycle accident while you aren’t wearing a helmet, that helmet law violation could adversely affect any personal injury lawsuit you decide to file in court against the driver who caused the accident. That’s true even if it is clear that the other driver was clearly at fault. That’s because Vermont follows a legal rule known as “comparative negligence,” which applies when the person bringing a personal injury lawsuit (the plaintiff) is also partly to blame for causing their own injuries.  So, if the jury in your case decides that your failure to wear a helmet amounted to negligence, any compensation you receive will be reduced by a percentage that equals your share of fault. Learn more about this rule in the context of vehicle accident cases in our Vermont Car Accident Laws article.

-- Please select --Even without a law, a helmet is a must-have Before you head out on the highway looking for adventure make sure it isn’t a ticket that comes your way. This guide details the helmet laws state by state to help riders follow the rules. Of course, the safest choice is to always wear a traditional (non-novelty) helmet that complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218. Besides getting a ticket for not wearing a helmet in certain states, there is even more incentive—not properly protecting yourself could increase your risk of injury or even death. Just 19 states, plus the District of Columbia, have universal motorcycle helmet laws requiring usage despite the fact that studies show that helmets can help reduce your injury risk in a crash. They are about 37 percent effective in preventing deaths and about 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries from motorcycle crashes. (See our 10 safety tips for new riders.) In states that institute laws, deaths and injuries from motorcycle accidents typically drop.

Unfortunately, the opposite also proves true when such laws are repealed. Nearly 100 percent of motorcyclists riding in states with helmet laws were wearing them. In states without the laws, helmet use was about 50 percent.used motorcycle panniers for sale on ebay Getting more riders to wear helmets is important: As more motorcyclists have taken to the road over the last few years, rider fatalities have grown even more rapidly especially compared to cars.  bmw 1200rt motorcycle for saleIn 2012, over 4,900 motorcyclists died on the roads--that is 15 percent of the total highway fatalities and an increase of 33 percent from 2003-2012.motorbikes for sale north shields Before embarking on a long-distance ride, check out our list of which states have universal laws requiring helmet use. mrf tyres price list motorcycle

The best move is to keep things simple and safe: Wear a quality, DOT-approved helmet even if it’s not the law in your state or wherever you are traveling. 17 and younger riders and passengers For more on motorcycles, see our buying advice and our special section covering safety, reliability, first rides and more. Motorcycles & Scooters Ratings View and compare all Motorcycles & Scooters ratings. Build & Buy Car Buying Service Save thousands off MSRP with upfront dealer pricing information and a transparent car buying experience. Get Ratings on the go and compare while you shop Safety Laws in Vermont Cell Phones and Texting Child Car Seat Laws Reporting Drunk or Dangerous Drivers Unattended Child in Vehicle Unattended Pet in a Vehicle for car insurance rates: Please Enter Your Zip: Helmets are required for all riders. Helmets are not required, regardless of age. Needless to say, wearing one greatly reduces the risk of injury, especially in children.

All drivers under 18 years old are banned from using a portable electronic device. All drivers, regardless of age or license status, are banned from texting while behind the wheel. All kids younger than 1 year old and all kids who weigh less than 20 lbs. must ride in a rear-facing, federally-approved child safety seat. All kids who weigh over 20 lbs and is 1 through 7 years old they must ride in either a child safety seat or a booster seat. Kids between 8 to 15 years old must ride in a child passenger restraining system, or use a seat belt. Before ordering a child car seat, be sure to read our articles on How to Buy a Child Safety Seat and How to Install a Child Safety Seat. If you're caught with inappropriate child safety seating: To report a drunk or a dangerous driver, call either 911 or your local police department. Be sure to provide the vehicle's license plate number, make and model, location and travel direction. Call 911 if you sense that an unattended child left inside a vehicle is in danger.