, about 14% of all traffic fatalities in 2019 were caused by motorcycle accidents. To protect motorcyclists and prevent fatalities, states have passed motorcycle helmet laws since the 1960s.

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is here with everything you need to know about Oregon’s motorcycle helmet law. We’ll go over all the basics, including important exceptions and the nitty-gritty statistics on unhelmeted fatalities in the Beaver State—plus, how to save on your

Oregon insurance costs

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Do you have to wear a motorcycle helmet in Oregon?

All motorcyclists and motorcyclist passengers, regardless of age, must wear a motorcycle helmet while riding a motorcycle in Oregon.

Failure to comply with Oregon’s motorcycle law comes with a hefty fine. More on that, in detail, below.

Exceptions to Oregon’s motorcycle helmet law

In Oregon, there are a few exemptions when it comes to motorcycle helmet laws. A person is not in violation of the law if they are:

Within an enclosed cab

Operating or traveling in a vehicle designed to travel with three wheels in contact with the ground at a speed of less than 15 miles per hour

While mopeds are not motorcycles, in Oregon you must wear a helmet while operating one. Ignoring this important safety law could come with a steep penalty.

MORE: Oregon reckless driving

Penalties for breaking Oregon’s motorcycle helmet law

In Oregon, failure to comply with the motorcycle helmet law is considered a Class D traffic violation. If you decide to forgo a helmet, you’re looking at a minimum fine of $115 and risking a maximum fine of $250.

Another thing to keep in mind before cruising the roads on your two-wheeler is a driver’s permit. Under Oregon law, all motorcyclists must have a

motorcycle endorsement

. Without one, you’re looking at more ways to bruise your wallet.

Why it’s important to wear a motorcycle helmet

While Oregon’s $115 fine may not intimidate you, you should consider other possible consequences of forgoing head protection. We’ll take a deeper look into the history of motorcycle helmets and review some recent motorcycle accident statistics so that you’re well informed on the real cost of hitting the streets without a helmet.

In 1935, a British army officer and diplomat by the name of T.E. Lawrence, better known as “Lawrence of Arabia,” died at just 46 years old

as the result of a motorcycle accident

. This high-profile motorcycle fatality caused neurologist Hugh Cairns to launch a research campaign on motorcycle helmets. His aim was to prevent deaths like Lawrence’s from happening to others.

According to estimates from the NHTSA, U.S. motorcycle helmet laws save hundreds of lives a year. In those states without helmet laws, as many as 57% of motorcyclists killed on the road were not wearing a helmet. Compare that to the 9% of unhelmeted riders in states with helmet laws.

Oregon is no exception to the statistics. In 2019 alone, unhelmeted riders made up 15% of Oregon’s

591 motorcyclist fatalities

. Wearing a motorcycle helmet is the best way to protect yourself from becoming a negative statistic.

How to find affordable car and motorcycle insurance

Wearing a motorcycle helmet will keep you safe and help you avoid expensive fines. And while Jerry may not be able to save you from a bad case of helmet hair, we can help protect your wallet from unexpected motorcycle expenses or accidents. All you have to do is download the

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In under a minute, Jerry can search for quotes from over 50 top companies and find you an average of $800+ a year in

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Before you renew your policy, Jerry will even double-check your quotes to make sure you’re still getting the best deal. This lets you drive with more confidence and ease—the less stress on the road the better.

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