SOMEONE DIES NEARLY EVERY DAY RIDING A MOTORCYCLE IN TEXAS. IF YOU RIDE A MOTORCYCLE, YOU CAN HELP REDUCE THE NUMBER OF DEATHS AND POSSIBLY SAVE YOUR OWN LIFE BY WEARING A HELMET.
Motorcycle Helmet Exemptions
ON JUNE 19, 2009, GOVERNOR RICK PERRY SIGNED INTO LAW SENATE BILL 1967 OF THE 81ST REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION. THIS LAW BECAME EFFECTIIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2009, AND REPEALED THE HELMET EXEMPTION STICKER PROGRAM.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE HELMET EXEMPTION:
FORMER LAW REQUIRED A PERSON BE COVERED WITH A MINIMUM OF $10,000 IN HEALTH INSURANCE FOR INJURIES INCURRED IN A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR AN EXCEPTION FOR THE OFFENSE OF OPERATING OR RIDING A MOTORCYCLE WITHOUT A HELMET. THE LAW REMOVES THAT MINIMUM AMOUNT. THE LAW REQUIRES THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE TO PRESCRIBE A STANDARD PROOF OF HEALTH INSURANCE FOR ISSUANCE TO PERSONS WHO ARE AT LEAST 21 YEARS OF AGE AND COVERED BY AN APPLICABLE HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN. "HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN" MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL, GROUP, BLANKET, OR FRANCHISE INSURANCE POLICY, INSURANCE AGREEMENT, EVIDENCE OF COVERAGE, GROUP HOSPITAL SERVICES CONTRACT, HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIP, OR EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN THAT PROVIDES BENEFITS FOR HEALTH CARE SERVICES OR FOR MEDICAL OR SURGICAL EXPENSES INCURRED AS A RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT.
THE LAW PROHIBITS A PEACE OFFICER FROM STOPPING OR DETAINING A PERSON WHO IS THE OPERATOR OF OR A PASSENGER ON A MOTORCYCLE FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF DETERMINING WHETHER THE PERSON HAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED A MOTORCYCLE OPERATOR TRAINING AND SAFETY COURSE OR IS COVERED BY A MOTORCYCLE HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN AND REPEALS PROVISIONS RELATING TO A DPS-ISSUED STICKER REQUIRED TO BE DISPLAYED ON A MOTORCYCLE BY A MOTORCYCLE OWNER.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS LAW, PLEASE VISIT TEXAS LEGISLATURE ONLINE OR CONTACT THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE AT 800-252-3439.
TIPS FOR MOTORCYCLE RIDERS:
MOTORCYCLISTS DO NOT HAVE THE PROTECTION OF SAFETY BELTS, AIR BAGS, DOOR BEAMS AND OTHER CUSHINGING THAT CARS, TRUCKS AND SUVS HAVE. TO HELP KEEP YOU SAFE, REMEMBER TO:
WEAR A HELMET AND OTHER PROTECTIVE GEAR;
TURN ON YOUR HEADLIGHTS AND RIDE DEFENSIVELY;
AVOID THE CENTER OF THE LANE WHERE DEBRIS AND OIL BUILD UP;
RIDE AT A SAFE SPEED AND NEVER RIDE IF YOU HAVE BEEN DRINKING; AND,
TAKE A COURSE TO LEARN, OR REINFORCE SAFE RIDING TECHNIQUES.
