Can I get Cited for Not Buckling My Helmet?

[ctwo]

Lately, I've been lazy about rebuckling my helmet after a trip to a local neighborhood market on my ride home. It's only a few residential blocks and do not perceive any real safety risk, but just curious about the law.

 

[cheez]

It's illegal.

VEHICLE CODE - VEH
DIVISION 12. EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES [24000 - 28160] ( Division 12 enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3. )
CHAPTER 5. Other Equipment [27000 - 28160] ( Chapter 5 enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3. )

ARTICLE 7. Motorcycles [27800 - 27803] ( Article 7 enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3. )

27803.
(a) A driver and any passenger shall wear a safety helmet meeting requirements established pursuant to Section 27802 when riding on a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle.

(b) It is unlawful to operate a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle if the driver or any passenger is not wearing a safety helmet as required by subdivision (a).

(c) It is unlawful to ride as a passenger on a motorcycle, motor-driven cycles, or motorized bicycle if the driver or any passenger is not wearing a safety helmet as required by subdivision (a).

(d) This section applies to persons who are riding on motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, or motorized bicycles operated on the highways.

(e) For the purposes of this section, “wear a safety helmet” or “wearing a safety helmet” means having a safety helmet meeting the requirements of Section 27802 on the person’s head that is fastened with the helmet straps and that is of a size that fits the wearing person’s head securely without excessive lateral or vertical movement.

 

[ctwo]

Almost plain as day. Maybe I can toy with the meaning of "fastened"

I'm such a lazy boy

I guess that is better than having to blow/hum into some tube...

 

[cheez]

Almost plain as day. Maybe I can toy with the meaning of "fastened"

I'm such a lazy boy

I guess that is better than having to blow/hum into some tube...

Much. But also, having done a headstand on the superslab and had my helmet save my life, I see far more value in lids than in interlocks.

 

[ctwo]

Yep, it's just a long two block residential ride home from the market. If I'm not getting a burrito, I'm not even taking the helmet off. I wont even put back in the ear plugs, wear gloves, or sunglasses on the way back.

 

[NorCalBusa]

But you can do this;

 

[budman]

More room for the burrito.

 

[dtrides]

I did a trip years ago with a few mates who were all on HD's. They had the typical HD wardrobe of half helmets, fingerless gloves etc.
One morning when we were about to leave the hotel I asked my friend if he was going to cinch up his helmet strap. He looked at me quizzically and said " why, the fall will probably kill me"....lol
At least they didn't give a hard time for riding my rice rocket in full leathers and a full face helmet.
DT

 

[Pushrod]

Don't dress for the ride. . . . . dress for the crash.

So many squirrels driving so erratically that six seconds of doing up a single strap is cheap insurance..

 

[Jammer]

Stop trying to confuse people with the facts, it may make their brain implode.

 

[Maddevill]

You know statistically, most crashes occur within 5 miles of your house.

Mad

 

[CDONA]

Snap buckles,

Easier with frozen fingers

 

[motomania2007]

Yep, it's just a long two block residential ride home from the market. If I'm not getting a burrito, I'm not even taking the helmet off. I wont even put back in the ear plugs, wear gloves, or sunglasses on the way back.

A few years ago, a buddy of mine crashed on his way home from working out at the gym. It was only 2-3 blocks so he didn't wear gear, just helmet, shorts, t-shirt.

He fell due to a slick spot on the road about a block from home.

Lots of roadrash, totaled helmet that whacked the ground hard...

 

[motomania2007]

You know statistically, most crashes occur within 5 miles of your house.

Mad

So what you are saying is it is advised to move at least 5 miles away...

 

[budman]

 

[xgambit]

So what you are saying is it is advised to move at least 5 miles away...

You don't have to do anything that drastic, silly

All you need to do is park your bike 5 miles away from your house and, when you need to go for a ride, ascend to 13,000 ft in a helicopter and then wingsuit to your bike. That way you avoid all of the dangers of riding a perilous motorcycle.

 

[NorCalBusa]

Snap buckles,

Easier with frozen fingers

Just under two decades ago, when they first came out, I witnessed a fatal BARFER accident when the snap didn't and the helmet landed some 100' from the POI.

 

[bojangle]

Lately, I've been lazy about rebuckling my helmet after a trip to a local neighborhood market on my ride home. It's only a few residential blocks and do not perceive any real safety risk, but just curious about the law.

I hear ya man! Buckling that helmet is so difficult and time consuming.

 

[Kornholio]

A lot of Harley Pirates here do the whole "barely a bowl tilted back over the crown of the head" thing...never once seen an LEO bat an eye at it.

 

[flying_hun]

I hear ya man! Buckling that helmet is so difficult and time consuming.

This