In Utah, helmet use is only required for motorcycle operators and passengers who are under the age of 18. Utah law require motorcycle riders and passengers to wear a helmet? Utah does have a motorcycle helmet law on the books, but it is not the catch-all variety of helmet law that many other states’ legislatures have passed. In Utah, helmet use is only required for motorcycle operators and passengers who are under the age of 18. (In contrast, “universal” helmet laws require anyone riding on a motorcycle to wear a helmet, regardless of age.) Here’s what the specific language of Utah’s motorcycle helmet law says: “A person under the age of 18 may not operate or ride on a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle on a highway unless the person is wearing protective headgear which complies with” federal safety regulations adopted by the state. For more safety regulations tips for riders in Utah, check out the Motorcyclist Safety Page from the Utah Department of Public Safety.

Utah adds a few wrinkles to its motorcycle helmet statute (which you can find online atUtah Code section 41-6a-1505). The first says that anyone who is issued a moving violation while on a motorcycle will be granted an $8 waiver of any resulting fine if the person was over 18 and was wearing a helmet at the time they were ticketed. In other words, it’s a small financial incentive to wear a helmet even when Utah law doesn’t require you to do so. The second wrinkle in Utah’s motorcycle helmet law would come into play if you got into a motorcycle accident and filed a personal injury lawsuit against another driver. If you weren’t wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, in many states that fact could affect your legal position, since failure to wear a helmet could be considered negligence, especially if you’re seeking compensation for head injuries. But in Utah, the motorcycle helmet statute (again, it’s online at Utah Code section 41-6a-1505) specifically says that this kind of evidence is not in play in an injury lawsuit: “The failure to wear protective headgear: (a) does not constitute contributory or comparative negligence on the part of a person seeking recovery for injuries;

and (b) may not be introduced as evidence in any civil litigation on the issue of negligence, injuries, or the mitigation of damages.” -- 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. motorcycle repair somervilleUnfortunately, the opposite also proves true when such laws are repealed. motorcycle vin check carfaxNearly 100 percent of motorcyclists riding in states with helmet laws were wearing them. used dirt bikes for sale kijijiIn states without the laws, helmet use was about 50 percent.nitro leather motorcycle jacket 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.  motorcycle sales kendal

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.harley trikes for sale in illinois Before embarking on a long-distance ride, check out our list of which states have universal laws requiring helmet use. honda motorcycle dealers des moines iowaThe 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 shopHomeMotorcycle RidersMotorcycle Helmet Laws Whipping around the roads on a motorcycle is undoubtedly thrilling, but can be equally as threatening to your life. That's why it's so important to take safety seriously from atop your bike. While every state in the country highly recommends that everyone wear a helmet while riding or operating a motorcycle, each has a slightly different take on where they draw that line legally. Read more to see what every state's helmet requirements are when it comes to riding or operating a motorcycle. NOTE: For states that require helmets, all helmets must also be in compliance with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)'s Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. All riders must wear helmets, regardless of age, license status, or experience. The law also applies to motor-driven cycles and mopeds.

In Alaska, you are required to wear motorcycle helmet if: You are under 18 years old. You are a passenger. You have a motorcycle instruction permit. You are taking a motorcycle road test. You must wear a motorcycle helmet in Arizona if you're A passenger who is under 18 years old. All motorcycle riders in Arkansas who are under 21 years old must wear a helmet. All riders and passengers must wear a helmet. This law also applies to motor-driven cycles and mopeds. All motorcycle operators and passengers who are younger than 18 years old must wear a DOT-approved helmet. anyone under 18 years old in Connecticut—whether passenger or driver—to wear a helmet while on a motorcycle. Every rider and passenger under 19 years old is required to wear a DOT-approved helmet. Every person operating or riding a motorcycle regardless of age must have a safety helmet in his or her possession. Required to wear a helmet while operating a motorcycle in Florida UNLESS you have a motorcycle insurance policy for at least $20,000 in medical benefits to cover injuries sustained in a crash.

All riders under 21 years old must wear helmets, regardless of insurance policies. Required for every rider and passenger of a motorcycle to wear a DOT-approved helmet. All motorcyclists under 18 years old are required to wear a motorcycle helmet. Motorcycle passengers and operators under 18 years old are required to wear helmets. There are currently NO helmet requirements for motorcycle riders or passengers in Illinois. Motorcycle operators and passengers must wear a helmet if you are under 18 years old. The state also requires all learner's permit holders to wear a helmet regardless of age. Iowa currently has NO helmet requirements for motorcyclists and passengers. Helmet AND eye protection is required for motorcycle riders younger than 18 years old. Helmets are required for all of the following people in Kentucky: Operators and passengers under 21 years old. Anyone with a motorcycle instruction permit, regardless of age. Anyone who has had a motorcycle license for less than 1 year, regardless of age.

All motorcycle operators and passengers must wear a helmet in Louisiana. Maine requires the following groups of people to wear motorcycle helmets: Any operator or passenger younger than 18 years old. Everyone who has a learner's permit. Any rider who has had his or her motorcycle license for less than 1 year. A passenger riding with any of the above operators. All motorcycle operators or passengers must wear a helmet under Maryland law. Every motorcycle passenger or operator is required to wear a DOT-approved helmet in Massachusetts. Any motorcycle rider or operator who is under 21 years old must wear a helmet in Michigan. Once you are 21 years old, you MUST wear a helmet UNLESS you: Have at least $20,000 in first-party medical benefits. Have had your motorcycle license for at least 2 years. Have passed an approved motorcycle safety course. Passengers may also legally decline to wear a helmet IF they have at least $20,000 in first-party medical benefits in addition to the insurance required of the operator.

In Minnesota, any motorcycle rider under 18 years old must wear a DOT-approved helmet. The requirement also applies to any rider with an instruction permit or endorsement. All motorcycle riders in Mississippi must wear a helmet. All Missouri motorcycle riders and passengers are required to wear helmets. Any operator or passenger younger than 18 years old MUST wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle. Every motorcycle passenger or operator is required to wear a helmet in Nebraska. Nevada requires all motorcycle riders and passengers to wear DOT-approved helmets. Riders and passengers under 18 years old are must wear motorcycle helmets in New Hampshire. All motorcyclists are required to wear Department of Transportation-approved helmets in New Jersey. Motorcycle drivers and passengers under 18 years old are required to wear a helmet in New Mexico. New York requires all motorcyclists and passengers to wear a DOT-approved helmet. All motorcycle passengers and riders must wear helmets that comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard in North Carolina.

Moped riders must follow the same requirement. In North Dakota, all motorcyclists and passengers younger than 18 years old must wear a helmet. Ohio motorcyclists and motorcycle passengers younger than 18 years old must wear a helmet. The requirement also extends to any riders with a “novice" designation on his or her motorcycle license. Oklahoma motorcyclists younger than 18 years old are required to wear a DOT-approved helmet. A DOT-approved helmet must be worn by all motorcyclists and passengers in Oregon. The same rule applies to moped drivers and passengers. All riders under 21 years old are required to wear a motorcycle helmet in Pennsylvania. After that time, a motorcyclist may opt out of wearing a helmet ONLY if: You have had at least 2 years of riding experience. You have successfully completed a motorcycle safety course that was approved by either the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

Rhode Island motorcyclists younger than 21 years old must wear a helmet. The state also requires all riders who have had their motorcycle license for less than 1 year to wear a helmet, regardless of age. Both motorcycle riders and passengers who are under 21 years old are required to wear a helmet in South Carolina. Motorcycle operators younger than 18 years old must legally wear a helmet in South Dakota. All motorcycle riders in Tennessee are required to wear a DOT-approved helmet. Texas motorcyclists under 21 years old MUST wear a helmet. After that point, a rider may choose not to wear a helmet ONLY if he or she has proof of an applicable health insurance plan that provides benefits in the event of an accident. The Utah law requires all motorcycle operators and passengers younger than 18 years old to wear a helmet. Every motorcycle operator and passenger must wear a helmet in Vermont. All motorcyclists and their passengers are required to wear helmets in Virginia.