Kansas Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Kansas law requires drivers and passengers on a motorcycle under the age of 18 to wear a helmet. Those who are 18 years and older are exempt from the law.
Written by Holden Easterbrook
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Kansas
requires anyone younger than 18 to wear a helmet while on a motorcycle. They must also wear shatter-proof and impact-resistant glasses, goggles, or transparent face shields.
Pop culture portrays motorcycles as exciting and the essence of freedom, but they’re also dangerous. 14% of traffic fatalities in 2019 were the result of motorcycle accidents, according to the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
, despite states implementing motorcycle helmet laws since the 1960s.
Because of that, the
car insurance
broker app
Jerry
is here to help you understand Kansas’ motorcycle helmet laws. By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of the law, the exceptions to it, and the reasoning for wearing a helmet.
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Do you have to wear a motorcycle helmet in Kansas?

Everyone under the age of 18 must wear a helmet while driving or riding on a motorcycle.
The helmet you wear must be approved by the Department of Transportation. Additionally, you must wear impact-resistant and shatter-proof goggles, glasses, or a transparent face shield. You can forgo the eye protection if your motorcycle has a windscreen that is at least 10-inches tall when measured from the center of your handlebars.
It’s important to note that these requirements also apply to mopeds.

Exceptions to Kansas’ motorcycle helmet law

Drivers and passengers on a motorcycle are not required to wear a helmet if they are 18 years of age or older. That being said, wearing your helmet is strongly recommended for your own safety in the event of an accident.

Penalties for breaking Kansas’ motorcycle helmet law

Minors caught riding on or operating a motorcycle without a helmet can face a fine of $52.

Why it’s important to wear a motorcycle helmet

Regardless of your age or how skilled you are at driving a motorcycle, you should wear your helmet. While it may not seem like much, your helmet is your first and most important defense in an accident.
In states that don’t have helmet laws, 57% of motorcyclists that die in accidents were not wearing their helmets. Conversely, that statistic drops to 9% in states with helmet laws on the books. Overall, the NHTSA estimates that hundreds of lives are saved each year in the nation as a result of wearing helmets.
When you’re in a standard car, you’re protected by seatbelts, airbags, and a rigid frame surrounding you. In contrast, the only thing protecting you while on a motorcycle are your clothes and helmet. If you neglect to wear a helmet, you’ve given up half of the things meant to keep you alive—and that’s not worth feeling marginally more comfortable.

How to find affordable car and motorcycle insurance

There’s more to motorcycle safety than just wearing a helmet. To cover medical bills, repair costs, and the other troubles that arise after an accident, you’ll need the right auto insurance. If you want to rest assured that you’re getting the right coverage for the right price, download the
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