| Alabama
has full motorcycle helmet laws for all motorcycle riders!
Alabama law requires anyone
who operates or rides on a motorcycle to wear protective headgear
specifically designed for motorcycle riders and passengers. The
law requires the motorcycle helmet to have a hard exterior shell
of non-shatterable material that resists impact and penetration.
The motorcycle helmet must also have a firmly secured shock absorbent
cradle for the head that is designed to support the motorcycle helmet
and maintain separation between the head and outer shell. The padding
of the motorcycle helmet must be impact-resistant, absorbent, and
of substantial thickness in all areas where the head is in close
proximity with or may contact the outer shell. Additionally, the
Motorcycle helmet must have a permanently attached adjustable chin
strap that holds it securely in place. The law requires all drivers
and passengers to have the chin strap secured while the bike is
in motion. The motorcycle helmet need not have a visor, but, if
it does, the visor must be flexible or of the snap-on type, and
it cannot be more than one-quarter inch above the surface or exterior
shell. The only exception to Alabama's helmet law is for those who
ride in a sidecar with an enclosed cab.
STATUTE: Title
32. Motor Vehicles and Traffic; Chapter 5A; Rules of the Road; Article
11. Motorcycles; Section 245. Headgear ... required for motorcycle
riders ...":
"No person shall operate or ride upon a motorcycle or motor-driven
cycle unless he is wearing protective headgear which complies with
standards established by section 32-12-41."
FINE: Tne in
Alabama for violating the helmet law is $90.
STANDARDS:
Title 32. Motor Vehicles and Traffic; Chapter 12. Motorcycles and
Motor-driven Cycles; Article 3. Motorcycle Helmets; Section 41 Specifications:
"The protective helmet shall meet the following specifications:
"(1) Design. -- One which
is specifically designed for motorcycle riders and motorcycle passenger
use.
"(2) Exterior shell. -- A hard exterior shell of nonshatterable
material, resistant to impact and penetration.
"(3) Cradle. -- A firmly secured shock absorbent cradle for
the head designed to support the helmet and maintain separation
between the head and outer shell. Materials used in this portion
of protective helmet shall be of durable quality and with characteristics
that will not undergo appreciable alteration under the influence
of aging or of the circumstances of use to which the helmet is normally
subjected. Materials commonly known to cause skin irritation or
disease shall not be used for these parts of the assembly which
come in contact with the skin.
"(4) Padding. -- Impact-resistant, absorbent padding or cushioning
material of substantial thickness in all areas where the head is
in close proximity with or may contact the outer shell.
"(5) Chin strap. -- A permanently attached adjustable chin
strap that will hold the motorcycle helmet securely in place. A
rider must at all times, while a motorized vehicle is in motion,
have a chin strap firmly in place on or under the chin.
"(6) Visor. -- Not required, but, if the motorcycle helmet
is so equipped, the visor must be flexible or of a snap on type;
however, no external projections shall be more than one-quarter
inch above surface of the exterior shell."
Title 32. Motor Vehicles and Traffic; Chapter 12. Motorcycles and
Motor-driven Cycles; Article 5A. Rules of the Road; Article 11.
Motorcycles; Section 245 . . . approval of headgear . . . (d)
"The director of public
safety is hereby authorized to approve or disapprove protective
headgear, and to issue and enforce regulations establishing standards
and specifications for the approval thereof. The director of public
safety shall publish lists of all protective headgear which have
been approved by him."
State Funded Rider Education
Available for all eligible applicants.
Daytime Use Of Headlight
Modulating headlight permitted
Passenger Seat
Required if carrying a passenger
Passenger Footrests
Required if carrying a passenger
Mirror
Required by law
65 MPH Speed Limit
In effect on designated rural interstate highways
WEBSITES:
State of Alabama
- Department of Public Safety
Bama Rides - is an online biker community and Alabama-based group of motorcycle enthusiasts, sharing information about bikes, rides, food, bars, and other good stops along the way.
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Barkley
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James H. McFerrin
Michael
Swann
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