NC Helmet Law Enforcement?

[Gulfstream]

The wife and I are taking our bikes on a NC vacation next week. We're traveling parts of the BRP, across state, and perhaps to the Outer Banks. Question is, are the police enforcing the DOT helmet requirement? I have an ACC non-DOT helmet and wondered if I may be facing a hassle?

[mungo]

That's a very good question. We just had a law go into place this year (2008) that required helmets to be DOT approved. I went and bought one, but there are plenty of people still riding around without one.

You may be fine with a novelty, but I suppose if a policeman had a chip on his shoulder,you may get a ticket.

[luvstoride]

You would probably be fine if you don't get stopped for something else like speeding.

[Gulfstream]

Thanks for the responses, I think I'll take my chances!

[kustom_flames]

Supposed to be DOT here in MA...never got hassled for wearing a novelty...

However, when I was hit by a car and almost killed, the small town cops confiscated my non-dot helmet...and they gave the girl that hit me, who was driving an unregistered vehicle, a reckless driving ticket...seems fair right?

[hardluk1]

Kustom flames, Look at it by the law and there both just vehicles on the road. Sucks but she could have been in a old caddy and you in a nice little, oh say, MGB and it would have been the same results maybe.

[mungo]

Pretty sad here in NC. A driver will get more serious charges hitting a bicyclist than they do hitting a motorcyclist.

[TERMINKNOTTER]

Fact, there is no way a LEO can tell if your helmet is DOT complient from a roadside stop. The only thing that can be ascertained is wether or not there is a DOT marking. There is nothing that says once you've purchased a helmet with said marking that you can not remove, cover up, paint over.

Penalty if you should be unfortunate $25.00 plus $75.00 court cost.
Go to court , fight ticket. Most likely it will be dismissed before being heard. If not plead not guilty, fight ticket.

[luvstoride]

Originally Posted by TERMINKNOTTER

Fact, there is no way a LEO can tell if your helmet is DOT complient from a roadside stop.

Although I agree the "permanent" DOT label on the back can be covered, and the inner tag removed, if a LEO really wanted to press the issue, he could issue a ticket like you said. Fortunately, here in NC some of the LEOs are not the sharpest pencils in the box.

IMPORTANT NOTICE OF CHANGES TO
NORTH CAROLINA’S
MOTORCYCLE SAFETY HELMET LAW
Effective January 1, 2008 all operators and passengers on motorcycles and mopeds must wear a motorcycle safety helmet of a type that complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
(FMVSS) 218
What to look for in a legal helmet:
•
Thick Inner Liner
FMVSS 218 compliant motorcycle safety helmets will have a firm inner liner of polystyrene foam that is about one inch thick. In some helmets this may covered by a comfort liner, but you can feel the thickness. Non-compliant helmets normally contain no liner or a thin soft foam padding.
•
DOT Sticker
Compliant motorcycle safety helmets will have the symbol “DOT” permanently installed by the manufacturer on the back of the helmet. Some “novelty type” helmets are supplied with a separate “DOT” sticker or one can be purchased separately and placed on the helmet by the motorcyclists. This does not make this a compliant helmet.
•
Manufacturer’s Label
Each compliant motorcycle safety helmet will have a permanently attached label either sewn or glued in the interior of the helmet by the manufacturer that has the manufacturers name or identification, precise model, size, month and year of manufacture, type of shell and liner construction materials and an instruction label for cleaning and care of the helmet.
NOVELTY TYPE HELMETS ARE NOT COMPLIANT WITH (FMVSS 218)

[mungo]

Each compliant motorcycle safety helmet will have a permanently attached label either sewn or glued in the interior of the helmet by the manufacturer that has the manufacturers name or identification, precise model, size, month and year of manufacture, type of shell and liner construction materials and an instruction label for cleaning and care of the helmet.

What if the rider's rips it out? Oh boy - I hope I'm not wearing a DOT helmet for nothing now...

[luvstoride]

Wouldn't it be a lot easier just to sh!tcan the whole helmet law idea and let us decide if we want to wear one or not?

[mungo]

Originally Posted by luvstoride

Wouldn't it be a lot easier just to sh!tcan the whole helmet law idea and let us decide if we want to wear one or not?

Oh yeah. I couldn't agree more. Just wish our bureaucrats felt the same way.

[TERMINKNOTTER]

Originally Posted by mungo

What if the rider's rips it out? Oh boy - I hope I'm not wearing a DOT helmet for nothing now...

Hate to say it but you are.

You can do whatever you want to your helmet. FVMS218 is a testing document. Doesn't dictate thickness nor construction materials, methods.

Besides without a warrant LEO will never see the inside of your helmet if you don't want him to.

[srv82690]

Check at www.myhelmetlaw.com before you go, under statutes.

[econnor]

I wear a Gentex flight helmet when I ride my bike, and for a number of reasons I got stopped by the police regularly. And hassled. But have never, ever been asked anything about my headgear nor have I received any citations related to my headgear. My buddies report the same thing.