This is just an FYI for anyone traveling thru the Volunteer State......the helmet gestapo is lurking. I was traveling thru on my way to Daytona and was just South of Bristol on US 19E heading South when I saw a State Trooper going Northbound. In my rearview I saw him flip and assumed he was going after the dude that had just flown by me in a 4 wheeler. I was running dead on the speed limit (55MPH) and this guy had to be doing 70! Try to make a long story short.....the trooper came up behind me and hit his lights and pulled me over. Said "Tennessee has a helmet law" and I said that I've got one on. He said that it is an "unathorized helmet". I asked how he knew that from across the median and he informed me that he was "trained to know". Now, I indeed had a non-DOT helmet on and he did tell me it was one of the nicest he had seen, but the stickers on it were the tip off. Gave me a citation and it cost me $172.50!! FYI....I again was doing the speed limit, didn't act like a smart mouth to the guy, he just basically took it upon himself to make sure I didn't make the mistake of riding in his state with a "non-authorized" helmet again....and he sure as hell succeeded!! Yeah, I know it's the law, and I know that technically I was in the wrong......BUT, I really think this guy was just badge happy. If I had been doing 70 MPH and he picked me up for that and tagged on the helmet charge, I wouldn't be writing this as I would have felt I deserved it by bringing attention to myself.....but that ain't the case. BTW, after he cited me, I asked him what I was supposed to do since it was the only helmet I had and he told me to just carry my copy of the citation and if anyone else stopped me to show it to them and it would be OK!! I didn't argue but was thinking if it was illegal and such a heinous crime......shouldn't he have taken me somewhere to get an authorized helmet or impounded my scooter until I got one or something?? Seems to me he was making law instead of enforcing it. Again, not my intent to start anything here on helmet laws or freedom of choice, etc. just an FYI as to what happened to me. Also, yes I did consider going to court and fight this, but it's 350 miles from home and would have cost me more in gas & hotel room etc. to do that and possibly still lose, so I just bit the bullitt and paid them their bounty.......but I bet I don't spend many $ in TN for a good long time though!! I can either go around it or stop for gas, food and lodging on either side and will do just that.......at least make me feel a bit better!!

 

Sorry to hear that. I live in TN and wear a non DOT helmet. Looks like I might be calling Carbon Fiber Helmets pretty soon.

 

Sounds like he really was "trained to know". Now the state has another $172.50 to put toward his next training class.

 

Yep....picked up one in Daytona. Put stickers on it too!!

 

Why the heck would anybody wear a freakin toy on there head instead of the real thing,if you have to wear a helmet at least wear one that will do you some good.

 

I really think some (and unfortunately, more and more) states are viewing these tickets as revenue generators... state coffers are hurting for $, and these kind of micky mouse tickets are the low hanging fruit... I expect to see increasing volume of B.S. tickets for things like helmets, pipes, apes, etc.

Just my opinion.

 

It's situations like this that help to reinforce my faith in our guvmint, and in particular our law enforcement community.
Nice to see they are on the job and at the top of their game.

 

Hey, I wear one because I have to not because I want to. And besides, in the 2 wrecks I've had my "toy" protected me just fine.

 

I agree.

 

I've said it a hundred times and I'll say it again, its not about safety...its about revenue.