Maine is considering mandatory helmet use
By: Dodsfall
January 23rd, 2013
6:19 pm
The State of Maine will soon be deciding on new helmet laws. A bill brought to the floor of the legislature on Tuesday may signal the beginning of new rules for riders.
LD 66, "An Act To Require That Motorcyclists Wear Helmets" was proposed by Representative Paulette Beaudoin. It proposes changes to the current vehicle code covering snowmobile, ATV, and motorcycle helmet use.
Currently, passengers and riders under the age of 18 as well as riders with a learner's permit or in their first year of riding are required to wear a helmet in Maine. The new law, if passed, would require all riders and passengers of these vehicles to wear a DOT-approved helmet at all times. The bill states a chin strap must also be fastened when riding.
Fines included in the new legislation are to be not more than $500 per incident without escalation of charges on repeat violations.
The bill has been sent to the transportation committee for their consideration. If the committee votes on the measure positively, it will be sent to the full legislature and then the governor for approval and implementation.
A similar bill was proposed by Representative Beaudoin in 2009. It failed to get passed at that time.
[Maine State Legislature]
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17 comments on "Maine is considering mandatory helmet use"
January 23, 2013 at 6:29 pm
I used to love riding Rt 1A along the coast line of Maine without a helmet. I don't advocate not wearing a helmet but meandering along the coast with the salt air and ocean spray on your face was something I always enjoyed doing. Most times I wear a helmet, just don't think the government should tell us we should.
January 23, 2013 at 6:36 pm
I used to love riding Rt 1A along the coast line of Maine without a helmet. I don't advocate not wearing a helmet but meandering along the coast with the salt air and ocean spray on your face was something I always enjoyed doing. Most times I wear a helmet, just don't think the government should tell us we should.
January 29, 2013 at 9:00 am
They are just thinking about protection, if you still want to feel the wind on your face get a dot approved half helmt or 3/4 i have a full flip face helmet and i love wearing it.
January 29, 2013 at 12:05 pm
They are just thinking about protection, if you still want to feel the wind on your face get a dot approved half helmt or 3/4 i have a full flip face helmet and i love wearing it.
January 29, 2013 at 12:12 pm
They are just thinking about protection, if you still want to feel the wind on your face get a dot approved half helmt or 3/4 i have a full flip face helmet and i love wearing it.
January 29, 2013 at 12:25 pm
This gets old fast. I believe I said I wear a helmet most of the time, but I like wearing it those one in a million times I ride along the Maine Coast, I live in Pennsylvania so I don't ride the Maine coastline that often. Only an idiot wants the government telling us when and where to wear a helmet. The important thing is we have the right to choose... It's a choice, not mandatory... Pennsylvania ten years ago changed from mandatory to riders choice, that's how I feel it should be. IMO.
January 29, 2013 at 1:28 pm
Government keeps taking our freedom of choice away. They think they are keeping us "safe" or making us "healthier". I think a line needs to be drawn somewhere on how personal they can make this. I know it is safer to ride with a helmet and it is healthier to eat fruit with my meal instead of fries but darn, they are overstepping by telling me I have to. They would serve us better by figuring out how to balance our budget.
Now, off my soapbox....I have only ridden without a helmet a couple of times and it just didn't feel right...Missouri law says I have to wear one so I am used to it. However, If I lived along the seashore I would probably ride without one more often. I would love to cruise down A1A in Florida with a tank top & no helmet on a warm day. I think riding there would be more laid back than it is in my neck of the woods. I may be wrong about that, but that is my perception. I may get to find out about 1A in Maine this summer. Will probably still wear my helmet as I will already have it on & not place to carry it...
January 29, 2013 at 1:47 pm
Government keeps taking our freedom of choice away. They think they are keeping us "safe" or making us "healthier". I think a line needs to be drawn somewhere on how personal they can make this. I know it is safer to ride with a helmet and it is healthier to eat fruit with my meal instead of fries but darn, they are overstepping by telling me I have to. They would serve us better by figuring out how to balance our budget.
Now, off my soapbox....I have only ridden without a helmet a couple of times and it just didn't feel right...Missouri law says I have to wear one so I am used to it. However, If I lived along the seashore I would probably ride without one more often. I would love to cruise down A1A in Florida with a tank top & no helmet on a warm day. I think riding there would be more laid back than it is in my neck of the woods. I may be wrong about that, but that is my perception. I may get to find out about 1A in Maine this summer. Will probably still wear my helmet as I will already have it on & not place to carry it...
As for Maine or Florida, I prefer Maine. I was born in Florida but spent most of my summers in Maine. The difference is striking and there is something about the rocky coast of Maine. To me the air is much more crisp and the landscape is much more beautiful than the flat lands of Florida. Of course you won't be riding much there in the winter months. But IMO it's worth the wait.
Yep, I wear my helmet 99% of the time. Maybe one day Missouri will change their helmet law. Here is what the Pennsylvania law states: In June of 2003 the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania passed S. 259 which repealed the state's 35-year old motorcycle helmet safety law. Motorcycle helmets are now only required for riders who are under the age of 21 and for those who are 21 years or older who have had a motorcycle operator's license for less than two years, or who have not completed an approved motorcycle safety course.
January 29, 2013 at 1:58 pm
Planning a trip to Maine in July. I can't wait!!! I've never been in the state of Maine but we will have about 2 weeks to explore & ride around up there. I don't know if we will stay in Maine the whole 2 weeks but can if we want to. I assume the coast is still too torn up going south so if we leave early we may head back to Niagra Falls. I would like to see that again and this time stick around for the night time show.
January 29, 2013 at 9:55 pm
Planning a trip to Maine in July. I can't wait!!! I've never been in the state of Maine but we will have about 2 weeks to explore & ride around up there. I don't know if we will stay in Maine the whole 2 weeks but can if we want to. I assume the coast is still too torn up going south so if we leave early we may head back to Niagra Falls. I would like to see that again and this time stick around for the night time show.