Motorcycles only make up 3% of registered road vehicles but account for 14% of all traffic-related deaths.
Motorbikes present a higher safety risk for both operators and passengers than most other vehicles. Because of this, it’s important to be as safe as possible when riding. There are various rules in place to help keep people safe.
Not following these rules could lead to serious injury, and invalidate any auto and motorcycle insurance you have.
Rules for Motorcyclists
Motorcycles have several advantages over cars. They’re often more convenient (especially in traffic), they cost less, and they are cheaper to run.
While only 2 states (Florida and Washington) don’t make motorcycle insurance mandatory, it’s still highly recommended. No matter how safe you are, there is still always a risk of an accident occurring.
There are several rules in place to help ensure your safety when riding a motorcycle. These often vary between different states, so it’s important to research the rules for wherever you are to ensure you’re not breaking the law. This is even more important if you regularly travel to different states.
Helmets
Before the 1960s, wearing a helmet wasn’t mandatory across the US. Throughout the 1970s, however, most states started making wearing a helmet a requirement.
These days, almost all states have helmet laws, but with some varying conditions. In some states, a helmet is only required by riders under a certain age (usually below 20 years old).
Some states also require that a helmet is reflectorized. This means that a helmet needs reflective materials, decals, or tape to make it reflect light and stand out.
Iowa and Illinois are currently the only two states in the US with no helmet laws.
Eye Protection
There are twelve states which currently make it mandatory to wear eye protection at all times on a motorcycle. This applies to both operators and passengers.
In some states, eye protection isn’t required if your motorcycle has a windscreen. Among these states, some don’t have a size requirement for the windscreen, while in others it needs to be at least 15 inches above the handlebars.
A few states have similar rules, but with age limitations. Fourteen states have no laws regarding eye protection, but it’s still highly recommended. Even a small bit of debris in the air could lead to a serious accident.
Noise Restriction
On the open road, loud noise is rarely an issue. In residential areas, however, some people may not be happy hearing loud exhausts, especially at unsociable hours.
11 States have muffler requirements but don’t have set decibel levels. Some states have a similar law, but the muffler can’t be any louder than the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) exhaust that came with the motorcycle.
A cut-out is a device that allows the exhaust to bypass the muffler. In some states, you need to have a muffler that doesn’t allow these.
10 states in the US have no requirements at all, so you’re free to make whatever exhaust modifications you want.
Passengers
Passenger laws are a lot easier to follow as they don’t vary much. There are only 5 states in the US with restrictions. In these states, you can’t have a passenger below a certain age – 5 to 8 years old depending on the state.
Across the rest of the US, you can have any passenger, they just need to follow the same safety equipment rules as the operator (helmets, eye protection, etc.). You should still use your best judgment when it comes to passengers. Small children, for example, might not always be a good idea.
Headlights
In the past, it was very rare for people to use headlights during the day. In recent years it’s become more common for safety reasons. In 18 states it’s now mandatory to keep your headlight on at all times.
Across around half of the US, you can instead use a modulated headlight. This continuously switches between full power and a dimmed mode. It’s more eye-catching, which will help people see you more easily.
Some states only require a headlight to be on for motorcycles made after certain years. A few even have no requirement for you to use a headlight during the day. Despite this, it’s still a good practice as it will help maintain safety, and you’ll get more used to it, which is ideal for traveling to different states.
Lane Splitting
Lane splitting is one of the advantages of having a motorcycle. It can save you a lot of time, especially in heavy traffic. The downside is that it can be very dangerous, which is why most states have laws regarding it.
California is the only state where lane splitting is completely legal. Several states don’t have specific laws regarding lane splitting, so you shouldn’t technically get in trouble for doing it. With that being said, in places where it’s not common, it could be dangerous and may confuse/anger other drivers on the road.
In the majority of states, lane splitting isn’t allowed, so it’s something you should definitely avoid in these areas.
Maintain Safe Practices
While the laws vary in terms of the above, you should always follow safe practices when on the road. Note that if you are breaking any laws, it could void any motorcycle insurance you have. This means that in the event of an accident you could get seriously hurt, and you won’t be able to make an auto insurance claim.
Auto and Motorcycle Insurance
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When looking for the best deal it’s important to compare different auto and motorcycle insurance quotes. You can click here to get a free quote from us right now.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER
Views expressed here do not constitute legal advice. The information contained herein is for general guidance of matter only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. Discussion of insurance policy language is descriptive only. Every policy has different policy language. Coverage afforded under any insurance policy issued is subject to individual policy terms and conditions. Please refer to your policy for the actual language.
