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Maryland Helmet Law

See what Maryland is about to do.

Maryland Update

SB 538 - Vehicle Laws - Protective Headgear for Motorcycle Riders -
Required Warning
------------------------------------------------------------
This bill would require a manufacturer warning on the outside of helmets
Sold in Maryland to include the following warnings:
- May not withstand impact above 13 MPH
- May not prevent head injury
- May not prevent skull fracture in a crash
- May break neck in a crash
- May cause neck, back, or chest pain
Ron Campbell
Colorado State Rep

I am new to this forum....does anyone know the law when it comes to sidecars and helments on passengers?

Keith

This looks like a disclaimer so that the State can't be sued over a mandatory safety regulation controlling adult behavior that is less than than adequate to protect these Motorcycle riders. ie: The Helmet law.
The first step in the right direction (if the FED and the State's are going to enforce these laws) should be current testing and standards to be met on all approved helmets. (Would a Wal-Mart supplier lie?)
For approval of most helmets, if not all, the DOT relies mostly on statements from manufacturere that their helmets will pass certain obsolete standards. Some of which may date back to the late 1970'S.
Like the laughable EPA mileage ratings on new automobiles, Mandatory helmet laws should be scrapped and discretionary use applied as it is in other risk associated activities such as Rock climbing, Ice climbing, Skiing, Sky diving, Snowboarding, Diving, Waterskiing, Surfing, Bicycling,
off road ATVing, and the list goes on and on.

Education, not Regulation!

My opinion, (Bring it on!)

Lonnie
Northwest Sidecar

Originally written by Titan Eng. Works on 2/18/2006 1:05 PM
See what Maryland is about to do.
Maryland Update
SB 538 - Vehicle Laws - Protective Headgear for Motorcycle Riders -
Required Warning
------------------------------------------------------------
This bill would require a manufacturer warning on the outside of helmets
Sold in Maryland to include the following warnings:
- May not withstand impact above 13 MPH
- May not prevent head injury
- May not prevent skull fracture in a crash
- May break neck in a crash
- May cause neck, back, or chest pain
Ron Campbell
Colorado State Rep">>>>

Sounds like they are trying to discourage helmet use!

The problem here in Maryland is we have way to many Lawers and they want to blame and sue anyone they can.

DOT does not test helmets and never has. Helmet testing and certification is done by the NTHSA (National Traffic and Highway Safety Administration). NTHSA is way behind on testing helmets because of the guidelines used and the lack of manpower assigned to it. If your helmet has a Snell or equivalent European certification then that's about as good as it gets. A DOT sticker on your lid means nothing.

http://www.bikersrights.com/default.html
Bikers Rights, Helmet Laws, Motorcycles, Freedom Fighter Issues