montana motorcycle helmet law
Is there a Montana law requiring motorcycle riders and passengers to wear a helmet? -- 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 Unfortunately, the opposite also proves true when such laws are repealed.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. 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. In 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. Before embarking on a long-distance ride, check out our list of which states have universal laws requiring helmet use. 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 Montana Cell Phones and Texting Montana Child Car Seat Laws Reporting Drunk or Dangerous Drivers Unattended Child in Vehicle Unattended Pet in Vehicle for car insurance rates: Please Enter Your Zip: Riders under 18 years old must wear a helmet. There is no statewide bicycle helmet law, but the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) strongly recommends you wear one. Headlights must be used: 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise. When visibility, due to foul weather, is reduced to 500 ft or less.
Helena: Prohibits the use of handheld phones (this also applies to bicyclists) Missoula: Prohibits texting (this also applies to bicyclists) Whitefish: Prohibits texting and the use of handheld phones Hamilton: Prohibits handheld devices
where to buy motorcycle helmet in edmonton Bozeman: Prohibits texting and hand held phones
belstaff summer motorcycle jacket Great Falls: Prohibits texting and hand held phones Columbia Falls: Prohibits texting and hand held phones Butte-Silver Bow and Anaconda-Deer Lodge: County wide bans on the use of handheld phones Kids under 6 years old or weighing less than 60 lbs must ride in a federally-approved safety seat or booster. All other riders, regardless of age, must use a seat belt. Dial 911 if you suspect a driver of being drunk or unfit to drive.
Provide the vehicle's license plate number, make, model, location and travel direction. In a non-emergency situation, you may report someone you suspect of being unfit to drive to the Montana Motor Vehicle Division. The more information you can relay about the individual and your relationship to that individual, the better. Call 911 if you sense that an unattended child left inside a vehicle is in danger. If possible, remain at the vehicle until authorities arrive. Call either the local police or animal control unit if you suspect an unattended pet left inside a vehicle is in danger due to excessive heat or cold. Related Products and Services Motorcycle helmet laws vary widely among the states and have changed a lot in the past half a century. Currently, 19 states and the District of Columbia have laws requiring all motorcyclists to wear a helmet, known as universal helmet laws. Laws requiring only some motorcyclists to wear a helmet are in place in 28 states.
There is no motorcycle helmet use law in three states (Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire). In the past, many more states had universal helmet laws, thanks to pressure from the federal government. In 1967, states were required to enact helmet use laws in order to qualify for certain federal safety programs and highway construction funds. The federal incentive worked. By the early 1970s, almost all the states had universal motorcycle helmet laws. However, in 1976, states successfully lobbied Congress to stop the Department of Transportation from assessing financial penalties on states without helmet laws. Low-power cycle is a generic term used by IIHS to cover motor-driven cycles, mopeds, scooters, and various other 2-wheeled cycles excluded from the motorcycle definition. While state laws vary, a cycle with an engine displacement of 50 cubic centimeters or less, brake horsepower of 2 or less, and top speeds of 30 mph or less typically is considered an low-power cycle. Twenty-three states have motorcycle helmet laws that cover all low-power cycles.