What is Helmet Laws in Massachusetts and Guides to choose the best Helmet for Motorcycle

As a whole, motorcycle helmet legislations need cyclists to use a helmet that meets particular safety and security criteria.

03:33 08 June 2022

As a whole, motorcycle helmet legislations need cyclists to use a helmet that meets particular safety and security criteria. The helmet must be fastened securely on the head, and must be made of sturdy material that will protect the head in the event of a crash. The helmet should also have a visor to protect the eyes from the sun and debris. Some states have additional requirements, such as requiring helmets to be equipped with certain safety features, such as reflective material.

 

Enforcement of motorcycle helmet laws can vary from state to state. In some states, riders who are caught not wearing a helmet can be subject to a fine. In other states, police may stop and ticket riders who are not wearing a helmet, but will not necessarily issue a fine. Still, other states have no enforcement of motorcycle helmet laws at all. 

 

Whether or not you are required by law to wear a motorcycle helmet, it is always a good idea to do so. Wearing a helmet can help secure you in the event of a road crash, and also can potentially protect your life.

 

Massachusetts’ Motorcycle helmet laws

Given that 1977, Massachusetts has had a universal bike safety helmet legislation in a position needing all bikers to use a helmet while running a motorcycle on public roadways. The law applies to motorcyclists of all ages, consisting of those with learner's authorizations.

 

The only exception to the law is for riders who hold a medical exemption from the Division of Insurance.

 

The helmet law is designed to protect motorcycle riders from serious or fatal injuries in the event of a crash. In accordance with the National Highway Traffic Safety And Security Administration (NHTSA), helmets are calculated to be 37 percent effective in staying safe from motorcycle casualties.

 

While the use of motorcycle helmets is mandatory in Massachusetts, there is no law that requires riders to wear other protective gear such as eye protection or reflective clothing. However, the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles recommends that all riders wear these items to help increase their visibility to other motorists.

 

Violating the motorcycle helmet law in Massachusetts is a non-moving violation that carries a fine of $25.

 

The NHTSA estimates that there were 4,976 motorcycle riders killed in crashes nationwide in 2018, and that 1,502 of those fatalities could have been prevented if the riders had been wearing helmets. In Massachusetts, there were 103 motorcycle riders killed in crashes in 2018, and 47 of those deaths were attributed to riders not wearing helmets.

 

Effective guides to choose the best Helmet for Motorcycle

The motorcycle helmet is protective equipment, but through it, we can also see your personality. With the collection of helmets we have today, you will surely find a model that you like. The choice should not only be made by eye, because its main function is to protect you. Here are some guides are given which might help you selecting the best motorcycle helmet.

 

The Types of Helmets

Before you decide on the size or the color, you must select the motorcycle helmet that suits you and especially the one that suits your activity.

 

1. The integral helmet that fully covers the face and has a rigid chin guard. This is the model to take if you take to the road regularly or if you are in a discipline where the speeds are high. This type of helmet has a problem with less ventilation and is much heavier compared to others. However, you can find models with ventilation in the back, on the chin and on the forehead.

 

1. The jet helmet that displays a chic and urban side. It is the model to take for short trips in town. It has this particularity of being lighter and more practical. By wearing a jet helmet, you will have your face completely uncovered, which means that it is not the most protective model. It has a doubt whether to ensure your safety if you are riding at a much higher speed on the road.

 

1. The modular helmet which can be described as a model between the full face helmet and the jet helmet. It is not as heavy as the full face helmet, but it provides higher protection than the jet helmet. This helmet includes a flip-up chin bar, so when you're hitting the open road, you can close the helmet.

 

1. The all-terrain helmet which is more reserved for motorcyclists who often take dirt tracks. It has an additional mask and a cap that will ensure your protection against projections.

 

Pay attention to the size

Now you know what type of helmet you are going to take, but you still have to determine your size. To do this, take a tape measure around your head by passing the tape measure above the eyebrows, over the ears to the back of the head. 

 

You now get your head measurement in cm. If he is between 51 and 68 cm, take a model from the adult collection. If it is between 47 and 50, choose a model for children. Read the size guide properly if you have any doubts in this regard. You will thus be fixed in relation to the size which can go from 2XS to 4XL.

 

The material

You may not have noticed this, but be aware that not all of these motorcycle helmets are made of the same material. There are many helmets with a thermoplastic shell that last no longer and are less safe compared to Polystyrene Foam. These are entry-level and less expensive, but their lifespan is very limited. If the lightness of the helmet is important to you, choose a model with a fiberglass shell. The composite fiber helmet is the one that offers the best protection, but you will feel its weight. It is the carbon fiber helmet that best meets the requirements of resistance and lightness.

 

Homologation

To make sure that the motorcycle helmet you have chosen is of good quality, check its certification. It is also mandatory to take an approved helmet. Therefore, check if the helmet meets the ECE 22.05 standard. This must be indicated visible on the chinstrap with a label that is green or white.