Helmet laws and standards are in place in practically every state of the U.S. Helmet laws and standards suggest that riding a bike without a helmet is a potentially dangerous activity that should be regulated. However, this is not a federal issue, but a state problem. Helmet laws by state vary according to each state. Consider first the helmet law for each state.

Helmet Laws Of 50 States

There are four states in the whole union that look are lax in helmet laws, meaning they do not actively pursue anti-helmet legislation or enforce heavy traffic and helmet rules. These states are Colorado, Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire. 20 states have helmet laws and standards for every rider with no real exceptions. These states are Alabama, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia. These states also have laws as to what type of helmets constitute a “safety helmet.” So even if you are wearing a helmet, it still may not be legal. There are 19 states that are intermediate in their helmet laws and standards. These states offer to exempt adult riders from most helmet laws but discriminate against younger riders. For 18 years of age and over, those states are Alaska, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming; for 21 and over those states are Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Texas.

Debating Motorcycle Helmet Regulations

It's easy to argue both sides of bike helmet law. On one hand, obviously there is an issue with helmet laws and fatalities. Laws are instituted to protect people from riding on the road unprotected and prevent injury and possible death. Wearing helmets is a law in many states, so disagreement or not it's wise to suit up if you happen to live in one of those states that require safety helmets on all motorcycles.

However, there is another argument here that suggests that helmet laws are an intrusion in personal choice. Consider the biker's argument against helmet laws and accidents. When you go flying several feet into the air after a collision and land on unprotected cement, wearing a helmet may or may not save your life. Bikers against helmet law argue that wearing a helmet can actually be more of a distraction and thus disrupt a rider's concentration – which is what causes accidents in the first place. Protesters against helmet law also suggest that there is a lack of statistical evidence to definitely show that helmet laws actually prevent accidents and fatalities.

For more information on laws regulations for motorcycle helmets, Montana helmet law exemptions and canoe helmet standards visit BikersRights.com and Usff.com. Knowing the precise helmet laws and standards is the first step – to supporting or arguing the system.