Motorcycle laws and the rules of the road are meant to protect drivers, pedestrians, and everyone in between. The vast majority of rules make good common sense and speak largely for themselves. Making sure your license plate is securely affixed and visible, as well as ensuring that your brake system works is logical, smart, and safe. But not all laws share as obvious a logic as these and others. And whether or not those laws make the most sense remains to be seen for each individual.
Florida’s Motorcycle Helmet Laws
In 2000, Florida State Law declared that individuals over the age of 21 who have an insurance policy that covers at least $10,000 in medical damages, are allowed to themselves choose whether or not they want to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle.
Each side of the helmet issue, including wearing a helmet every time you ride versus being selective about when and where you wear one, has science, facts, and figures to support its claim. Those who advocate for the right to choose whether or not to wear a helmet, appear to be largely invested in the right itself, rather than what it is they are choosing. Other proponents of the choice to wear, or not, protective headgear, state that helmets do not offer substantial amounts of protection. In fact, they point to the catastrophic events and fatalities that have occurred to riders who were wearing helmets.
Yet others say that the risks of traumatic brain injury, corneal damage, auditory deficits, respiratory distress, and damage to the brain stem, are far too great to chance. They maintain that the motorcyclists who ride sans helmet are gambling with the possibility of catastrophe and death itself. Interestingly however, drivers ages 16 to 21, are disallowed by law from riding their motorcycles without the use of a helmet or other type of protective headgear.
Traveling with Packages
In addition to laws regarding the use of helmets, there are others on the books meant to ensure that riders stay focused on the road. For example, it is against the law to drive a motorcycle or moped if you are holding or transporting a package. Adding to this, riders must keep their hands on their handlebars, in order to ensure that they are not preoccupied with anything other than the road they are on.
Driving With All the Wheels on the Road
The 2018 Florida State Senate passed motorcycle laws that require bikes to have their wheels on the ground at all times when driving. Additionally, motorcyclists must have one leg straddled over their motorcycle while facing forward while they ride. In short, motorcycles and other types of mopeds and bikes must maintain proper contact with the road in order to ensure everyone’s safety.
Rules, Requirements, and Consequences
There are a host of other laws and regulations related to motorcycle safety and maintenance, as well as the vehicular accoutrements that are popular within the motorcycle riding community. Laws are meant to be followed and are established in order to promote safety for all. Whether you choose to wear a helmet or not, your choice is one you must own. And while we certainly do not want you to end up in an accident, we are here for you if you do. If you’re involved in a car or motorcycle accident in Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, 1800-Injured can connect your with a personal injury lawyer who can assist you in your pursuit of full and fair compensation.
