Maine Revised Statutes
Subchapter 1: RULES OF THE ROAD
29-A §2083. Protective headgear

§2083. Protective headgear
1.  Requirement.  The following persons must wear protective headgear:  
A. If under 18 years of age, a passenger on a motorcycle or moped or in an attached side car;   [PL 2017, c. 51, §1 (AMD).]
B. If under 18 years of age, an operator of a motorcycle or moped;   [PL 2017, c. 51, §2 (AMD).]
C. An operator of a motorcycle or moped, operating under a learner's permit or within one year of successfully completing a driving test; and   [PL 2017, c. 51, §3 (AMD).]
D. A passenger of an operator required to wear headgear.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
This subsection does not apply to the operation of an autocycle.  
[PL 2019, c. 345, §8 (AMD).]
2.  Compliance.  An operator of a motorcycle or moped or a parent or guardian may not allow a passenger under the age of 18 years to ride in violation of this section.  
[PL 2017, c. 51, §4 (AMD).]
3.  Standard.  Protective headgear must conform with minimum standards of construction and performance as prescribed by the American National Standards Institute specifications Z 90.1 or by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218.  
[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
4.  Public program.  In furtherance of reasonable protective public policy, the Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Highway Safety must develop and implement a public information and education program designed to encourage helmet utilization by all motorcycle and moped riders.  
[PL 2005, c. 577, §33 (AMD).]
5.  Violation.  Violation of this section is a traffic infraction.  
[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1993, c. 683, §A2 (NEW). PL 1993, c. 683, §B5 (AFF). PL 2005, c. 577, §33 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 50, §§1-3 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 55, §4 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 652, Pt. C, §5 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 51, §§1-4 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 345, §8 (AMD).

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