Do the cops pay attention whether or not you're wearin' a DOT helmet if they pull you over for something else?

The reason I'm askin' is some friends & I are going to loop around the Grand Canyon in May and most of us don't own helmets being as we live in Free Arizona. We will have to pass thru Nevada (not free) to get around the west end of the Canyon.

Are the cops known to check for DOT approved helmets?

 

I dont know about other states but PA cops never bothered me when we had to wear a helmet. I got pulled over for speedingwearing a non dot helmet and he didnt ticket me for the lid.

 

I dont wear a DOT helmet(California), and they never pulled me over for that. I doubt they would hassle ya about that, as long as ya have something on your head.

 

When I have to wear one ... I wear a skid lid ... never been bothered ... in any state.

 

So no crying when/if you get a ticket from some LEO who decides to enforce the Law......BC

 

In New Jersey it must be legal with reflective tape for state inspection but never been bothered while riding.

 

Got pulled over for no taillight here in Oregon. Cop didn't say a word about the lid.

 

in Louisiana , they dont specify what kind of helmet , they just say you have to have one.

 

You can buy a DOT sticker for your helmet for almost nothing. That should settle it.

 

I don't know about the US, but in and around Nova Scotia, Canada it really depends on the officer, and what kind of mood he is in. Now, I haven't done much riding, since I haven't owned a bike until ... well ... hopefully today when I pick it up, but I have lots of family who have worn skidlids all their life and never had a problem.

I do know of one story of friends who were riding cross-country and got into some heat in Quebec. This was a few years ago, and their was a bit of a "biker war" going on at the time so the cops were really cracking down. Bottom line was they got fined and couldn't leave until they produced a DOT helmet. (luckily they all had spares on their bikes)

I don't own a DOT helmet, but I'm definitely going to pick one up soon. If you're able to pack another helmet it might help get you out of a bind if you find yourself in that situation.