Currently, few operators and passengers of motorcycles in Connecticut are required to wear a helmet while on a bike. That could be changing soon though, as Connecticut lawmakers review the laws and make proposed changes. As the law stands now, only those aged 17 or younger are required to wear protective headgear while on a motorcycle.
“Safety is the number one priority when operating a motorcycle. Wearing a helmet has not proven to be definitively safer, and can cause issues with vision while riding. There is no reason to change the existing laws” says Peter Bowman of Billings, Barrett, and Bowman. “Anyone over the age of 18 is already given the choice of whether they want to wear a helmet or not. As adults, they are entitled to make that decision on their own.”
Soon though, they may no longer be able to. The Public Health Committee, a safety advocacy group that has been consulting with Governor Ned Lamont, recently held a public hearing on two new proposed laws. The first would require that all motorcycle operators and passengers under the age of 21 wear a helmet. The second proposal would make sweeping changes, requiring anyone on a motorcycle to strap on a helmet before hitting the road.
While wearing a helmet is largely considered safer for anyone on a motorcycle, some motorcyclists consider this not to be true. Some have said in the past that due to the protection, other motorists are not as likely to give motorcyclists the same kind of room they would provide if the operator was not wearing a helmet.
Others state that wearing a helmet actually limits their vision, and it blocks out noise, something all riders need to pay attention to on the road. In these cases, wearing a helmet could potentially make a ride more dangerous for bikers rather than safer.
In addition to these laws, there is also the fact that Connecticut also requires beginners to wear a helmet while they are riding on a training permit. This means the only bikers not wearing helmets on the road are already experienced, and likely do not need the protective gear as much as their inexperienced counterparts.
Even if Connecticut lawmakers do pass either of the two proposed laws, they should also consider passing laws for the methods in which other drivers interact with motorcyclists. These motorists are actually the largest cause of motorcycle accidents on the state’s roads.
