Helmet law prepares to change
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SALISBURY -- The motorcycle helmet law in North Carolina will change Jan. 1, 2008.
In the past, many motorcyclists successfully fought helmet tickets because the law didn't say what kind of helmet had to be worn. That all will change when the law takes affect and requires safety-approved helmets.
Kristi Stewart helps customers with helmet-related questions at Tilley Harley Davidson. “As long as Tilley's been in business (since 1972) they've only sold [Department of Transportation-approved] helmets,” she said.
Starting Jan. 1, that's all you can use. Novelty helmets won't be allowed. Hazel Rollings used to wear novelty helmets because they were more comfortable. “For the past four months, I've wore a DOT helmet just to get used to it because I knew this law was coming,” he said.
The law used to only say helmets had to be "approved by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.” The new law clarifies that statement, saying helmets “need to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.”
In the past, many motorcyclists successfully fought helmet tickets because the law didn't say what kind of helmet had to be worn.
There's an easy way to make sure your helmet is approved. There's usually a sticker or an indication on the inside.
“They come in every style, every shape every color that you want,” explained Stewart. “The DOT helmets that we sell, they are lightweight, that they will protect you if something were to happen and you were to have an accident.”
Stewart said cost and comfort are no excuse. Tilley’s sells DOT-approved helmets ranging from $30-400. “Harley Davidson and other manufacturers have started producing helmets that are very lightweight. That make it really comfortable for the riders so it's a good thing that now that the law's in affect, or they're going to be pushed, that they have some options to wear light weight helmets.”
Violators will be issued a $25 fee plus court costs. Several Freedom Ride protests across the state are planned Jan. 1 to coordinate with the new law. Many bikers will ride to the People’s Executive Mansion in Raleigh to protest the law.
Another law affecting motorcyclists just took effect Dec. 1. Bikers can now drive through red lights that work on motion sensors that don't pick up the motorcycles. According to the law, Bikers have to wait at least three minutes at the red light first before going through it.