Across the United States, there are many laws applicable to motorcyclists that riders aren’t aware of. While riding your bike, it’s best to know the motorcycle laws of each state you’re traveling through, so that you don’t do anything illegal or potentially unsafe. To help avoid unwanted fines, tickets or trip interruptions, here are five interesting laws our Milwaukee motorcycle accident attorney thinks you should be aware of.
5 Motorcycle Laws Every Rider Should Know Before Hitting the Road
- Driving through red lights on your motorcycle: In 12 states in the US, motorcyclists are allowed to treat red lights like a stop sign. This is due to the traffic light sensors not picking up motorcycles that are sitting over them. Each of these 12 states has different requirements on how long a rider must wait at a red light, so check your local laws before riding through them. Hupy and Abraham makes a convenient wallet card with the Wisconsin and Illinois red light laws that you can get here. The card also has “10 Rules for Dealing with Police,” should you be pulled over for any reason.
- Headlights always need to be on: If you’re riding through Connecticut, then your bike’s headlights must be on at all times, even in the daytime, otherwise you’ll be fined. It’s not a bad idea to have your lights on whenever you’re riding, so that you’re more visible to others on the road.
- Dirty tires are not allowed: In Minnesota, it’s illegal to ride your motorcycle with dirty tires. Tires not clean are considered “a nuisance that affects public peace, safety, and general welfare,” so make sure that you rinse them off after riding through the dirt or mud.
- Gas tanks should be full: In some Ohio towns, you’ll be ticketed if you run out of gas. You should always plan ahead and make sure you have enough gas or a place to stop to fuel up on your longer rides.
- No riding in a costume: In Virginia, its illegal to ride a motorcycle wearing a costume. If you’re caught riding while dressed up as your favorite character you could be arrested! If you’re caught in this unusual circumstance, keep your costume on your bike and change when you get to your destination to avoid unwanted headaches.
Following motorcycle laws of each state you’re in can be complicated, especially when there are interesting and strange laws nobody thinks about. If you’re planning a trip through states that you don’t normally travel in, check out their local motorcycle laws so that you’re ready to ride legally and safely.
Contact Our Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney for Assistance
Hupy and Abraham, S.C. has been promoting motorcycle awareness and rider safety for over 50 years with the firm’s “Watch for Motorcycles” message. We've helped over 70,000 clients receive over $1 billion for their injuries. If you’re injured in a accident or have more questions about the motorcycle laws in your state, contact our experienced motorcycle accident attorney right away by calling 414-223-4800 or filling out our online contact form.
