What Are Kansas Motorcycle Helmet Laws?
Kansas is a wonderful state for motorcycle enthusiasts, with tons of open roads like the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway and the Perry Lake Loop. To get the most out of Kansas motorcycle rides, proper safety measures should be taken to prevent or lessen the severity of motorcycle accidents. This includes wearing a motorcycle helmet. Patterson Legal Group offers the blog below to make sure that you and the riders in your family understand Kansas motorcycle helmet laws, as well as why wearing a helmet is so important.
A History of Kansas Motorcycle Helmet Laws
For decades, Kansas followed universal helmet laws, which meant all riders and passengers on a motorcycle had to wear helmets. This changed in 1976, when the law was repealed and replaced by the current law which states, “all persons less than 18 years of age wear a DOT-approved helmet while riding or operating a motorcycle or moped.”
Additionally, the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) notes that:
Motorcycle operators are required to wear eye protection, unless they have a windscreen at least 10 inches high when measured from the center of the handlebars. Eye protection shall consist of protective glasses, goggles, or transparent face shields that are shatter proof and impact resistant.
Current Kansas motorcycle helmet laws can easily be summed up in two statements:
- Drivers and riders under 18 must wear a helmet
- All drivers must wear eye protection or have a high windscreen
Not All Motorcycle Drivers Have to Wear Helmets, But They Should
While helmets aren’t required for motorcyclists 18 or older, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wear one. Motorcycle helmets have been proven to prevent or lessen injuries in traffic accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motorcycle helmets:
- Reduced rider deaths by 37% and passenger deaths by 41%
- Reduced head injury by 69%
- Saved 1,872 lives in 2017
- Could have saved an addition 749 lives if all riders wore helmets
The simple act of wearing a helmet greatly reduces your chances of a brain injury or catastrophic injury in a motorcycle accident. So while you may not be required to wear a motorcycle helmet in Kansas, it’s a good idea to wear one.
Contact a Kansas Personal Injury Lawyer
The team at Patterson Legal Group hopes that you have a better understanding of Kansas motorcycle helmet laws and why it’s important to wear a helmet. Please share this information with motorcycle riders you know so that all of us can be safer. Unfortunately, there are times when motorcycle accidents happen no matter how safe you’re being. If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident caused by the negligence or recklessness of another party then contact a Kansas personal injury lawyer from Patterson Legal Group for immediate assistance.
Patterson Legal Group is available to serve you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can reach us by phone at (888) 687-2400 and online via LiveChat or secure contact form. Our lawyers have worked hard to gain a reputation for winning clients high settlements while treating them with the compassion and respect they deserve. Consultations are free and we work on a “no win, no fee” basis, so you won’t pay a dime unless money has been recovered on your behalf.
