California Motorcycle Eyewear Law
Wearing the right gear can help motorcyclists ride more safely, and limit the number of distractions they encounter while on the road. According to the 2010 California Vehicle Code and General Provisions, Division 12, Chapter 5, Article 7, section 27803, all motorcyclists must wear a safety helmet. The law does not make any specific regulations based on the eyewear a motorcyclist must wear, but the California DMV does lay out the standards which it expects all motorcyclists in the state to follow. As a result, all motorcyclists should abide by the DMV's guidelines for their own safety, and also to ensure they are not ticketed by police.
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Face Shields
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The California DMV recommends that motorcyclists wear shatter-resistant face shields. These shields can protect a motorcyclists face in the event of an accident, and they also protect the eyes from wind, particles in the air and flying insects. Most full face helmets come with a face shield already attached, but motorcyclists can also buy individual face shields to attach to a helmet that lacks a shield, or needs one replaced.
Goggles
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Although the California DMV prefers that motorcyclists wear face shields, using goggles is a legal alternative. While goggles will effectively protect the eyes and allow a motorcyclist to ride safely, goggles fail to protect the face from any objects flying through the air.
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Windshields and Glasses
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Wearing glasses, sunglasses or driving a motorcycle with just a windshield are not recommended substitutes for wearing goggles or a face shield. Windshields may block dirt and debris in the air, but they will not prevent wind from blowing into a motorcyclist's eyes. When this happens, the motorcyclist can become distracted, and her eyes can dry out, making it difficult to see. Glasses and sunglasses can easily blow off in the wind and they will not keep wind from drying out a motorcyclist's eyes.
Eyewear Conditions
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According to the California DMV, all eyewear should be attached securely in order to prevent them from blowing off in the wind. It's important that face shields and goggles are free from scratches, which can refract lights at night and cause a distraction. Goggles and face shields should allow some air through to reduce condensation and fogging. Motorcyclists who need corrective eyeglasses should also make sure that their face shields leave enough room to accommodate their glasses.
Driving at Night
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Motorcyclists should not wear tinted eyewear when driving at night, or in any other low-light situation (such as a tunnel), according to the California DMV. Tinted face shields and sunglasses cut down the amount of light that a driver sees, and it can lead to accidents.
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References
- Photo Credit moto 5 image by thierry planche from Fotolia.com
