Motorcycle Helmet Laws in New York by Erica Grundin

All operators and passengers of motorcycles in New York State are required to wear helmets. Unlike most states, New York also requires a reflector which covers a minimum of four square inches be affixed to the helmet. Helmets must be “of a type which meets the requirements set forth in section 571.218 of the federal motor vehicle safety standards as may from time to time be amended." In other words, novelty helmets are not allowed. Helmets that are certified to meet federal safety standards are required to have a DOT label on them. Look for this label if you are in doubt.

Mandatory helmet use continues to be a controversial subject. Many riders claim that helmets reduce peripheral vision and the ability to hear horns and other warning signals. An often-cited study (several decades old now) indicated that motorcyclists were at a greater risk of neck injury while wearing helmets due to the weight a helmet adds to the head area. Several conflicting studies and claims have been made over the years, but the fact remains – New York law requires that you wear a motorcycle helmet when operating or riding.

Helmet use statistics

Helmets do not provide complete protection in the event of a crash, but they do decrease the severity of head injuries, fatalities, and overall medical costs. Here are some statistics to consider:

• Crash-related head injuries are the leading cause of death in accidents where the rider is not wearing a helmet.

• Of every 100 non-helmeted riders who die in accidents, 37 most likely would not have died had they been wearing a helmet.

• Non-helmeted riders are three times more likely to suffer traumatic brain injuries than helmeted riders.

There are other benefits to mandatory helmet use. Studies conducted in the US and Europe have shown that states with mandatory helmet use laws have significantly fewer motorcycle thefts. Thieves are less likely to steal a motorcycle and drive away without wearing a helmet because to do so would attract police attention. In Texas, motorcycle thefts decreased 44 percent when they made helmet use mandatory. Several states have seen similar decreases.

About The Author

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, please call or e-mail our motorcycle accident attorney today for a free consultation in the New York area, including Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, Long Island, and New York City.

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