Is Florida the only state that does not require motorcyclists to wear their helmets?

Question

I am very embarrassed to say that I live in the State of Florida. It really pisses me off (and I don't exactly know why) that they are not required to wear their helmets. A helmet to a motorcyclist is like a seat belt to the rest of us, although we do not always wear our seat belts, but we do have more surrounding us in a car for protection. Maybe it makes me mad b/c I lost a dear friend in a motorcycle accident, but he actually wore his helmet. I just cannot believe our State is so stupid to just say hey! you can go w/o your helmet, although it's pretty much the only thing saving your life in a motorcycle wreck, if anything! But what is worse is that people actually go out w/o them and want to risk their lives like that! Most Floridians are retarded, what else can I say?

Answer 1

Neither does Connecticut.

And until the Safety Gestapo starts putting seatbelts on school buses, they have no standing to enforce helmet laws.

Besides, do you actually think a helmet will save you in a high speed motorcycle crash?

It would most likely become just a convenient way to carry the pieces that get ripped off you.

Answer 2

Motorcyclists who have more than a year of experience don't have to wear helmets in Ky. In many states cyclists have free choice of whether to wear a helmet or not. It doesn't bother me (a non-rider) what decision they make.

Answer 3

no, illinois dont either.  made me mad as h**l when i moved to a helmet law state.  yes i know its best for me, but theres nothing like the wind blowing thru u'r hair and the freedoms

Answer 4

I live in Ohio and motorcyclists aren't required to wear a helmet. You must wear a helmet for your first year but after your first year of riding you can either wear a helmet OR protective eyewear (which won't keep your brains inside your head when you hit the pavement going 75 mph)

Answer 5

No, Montana and Pennsylvania don't require motorcycle helmets either.

And I don't think they should. If you want the freedom to smash your brains all over the pavement, well then that's your god-given right as an American!

That said, you're a goddamn idiot if you don't wear a helmet, and I would rather remove such idiots from the global gene pool for the good of humanity.

Natural selection is a wonderful tool, isn't it?

Answer 6

Ky requires no helmet after you have held a license for 12 months. Might as well give them a loaded gun and tell them 12 months from today pull the trigger. I think the law should be repelled. i am a biker since 1975 , but i am not stupid enough to ride without a helmet, No matter how COOL i look.

Answer 7

Colorado doesn't, either.

Answer 8

" A helmet to a motorcyclist is like a seat belt to the rest of us, although we do not always wear our seat belts, "

And

" I lost a dear friend in a motorcycle accident, but he actually wore his helmet."

Because YOU lost a friend who was wearing one by his own choice, you think the rest of us should be required to?

By the evidence you present, the helmet didn't do anything.

Answer 9

I live in FL too and I think it's absolute insanity. I believe the cyclist is required to carry $100,000.00 in insurance. Guess what - that's a drop in the bucket when it comes to treating a head injury.

I am from PA and they have the same stupid option. Sheesh. I for one won't ride without a helmet. I learned that from my dad, he is very insistant about helmet use.

Answer 10

Maybe they need more organ donations?

It is totally ridiculous not to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle, no matter what the law lets a person get away with.

Answer 11

I don't know about other states, but helmets are not required in Maine. I agree with your viewpoint completely, and wish that more people would think their actions through.

Answer 12

No, Arizona doesn't require riders over the age of 18 to wear a helmet. That's how it should be.

Answer 13

Texas and  New Hampshire are 2 other states don't dont require you to wear it.

Answer 14

My wife is a medical insurance nurse and she reviews claims for insurance payments vs medical necessity. You would not believe some of the injuries sustained by motorcyclists.  Youngsters in their 20s and the prime of their life is over.  They can't do anything by themselves.  They'll never walk or ride or drive again or have kids.  Their lives are essentially over.  Sure they're alive, but who cares anyway?  All because they thought they could make that 2-wheeled, 500 lb machine do something beyond the capability of the driver to handle.  So they become wards of society to live out the rest of their days flat on their backs, waiting for someone to feed them or change the bed pan or a dressing or maybe just sit and read to them.  Sometimes, one can't help but wonder if they'd be better off dead.

Answer 15

Nothing..........you said it all and I agree with you 100 percent, its just flat out stupidity and I know that I will get hammered for saying this but its true..........

Answer 16

I used to ride but have splattered twice> with out a helmet i would not of made it> So if they chose not to wear 1 it there call>Live or die there call> I don't ride any more>

Answer 17

I know how you feel. But for some reason cars are required seatbelts but some states don't require helmets.  here are the list of states:

http://usff.com/hldl/frames/50state.html

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The cry for personal freedom is ignorance speaking.  We (the country) limit many of people's "freedom" in favor to safety.  If you or I was to stand on top of the hood while the car is moving, that would be considered reckless endangerment (and few other thing) yet that would also be a person's "freedom" also.  We also have laws against personal suicide - yet that is another "personal freedom".

People talk big about freedom until their first and last brain injuries.  My wife is suffering from traumatic brain injury NOW.  And I guarantee you that it is vastly worse than what people think it is.  

The one thing these people who refuse to wear seat belts are NOT thinking about is the friends and family who must also suffer also when their loved ones are injured.

good luck...

Answer 18

No Fl is not the only one. Below is a site with a list AND each states requirements for being a helmet-less rider. Some states do not have a helmet law, but only if you are a resident of that state. Each state is different with their laws. Study up before you head out.

Stimp Cat, just because you think it is stupid does not mean it is. It sounds like you just like to flap your gums without any knowledge of what riding is all about. I came to a state without a helmet law from a state with one. I can ride with or without one and it doesn't bother me either way. IT'S MY CHOICE! Helmets do not save lives, SAFE DRIVERS save their own lives. You're an ***!!!!!!!