CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) -
Rep. Wendell Gilliard has proposed a bill that would require all motorcyclists to wear a helmet.
As the law currently stands, if you're over the age of 21, it's optional to wear a helmet.
The proposed bill would make it a requirement that everyone must wear a helmet when operating a "two-wheeled" motorized vehicle.
You can read the full bill below:
A BILL
TO AMEND SECTION 56‑5‑3660, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976,
RELATING TO THE WEARING OF A HELMET BY CERTAIN PERSONS WHO OPERATE OR
RIDE UPON A TWO‑WHEELED MOTORIZED VEHICLE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THIS
PROVISION APPLIES TO ALL PERSONS WHO OPERATE OR RIDE UPON A TWO‑WHEELED
MOTORIZED VEHICLE.Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 56‑5‑3660 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 56‑5‑3660. It shall be unlawful for any person under the age of twenty‑one to operate or ride upon a two‑wheeled motorized vehicle unless he wears a protective helmet of a type approved by the Department of Public Safety. Such a helmet must be equipped with either a neck or chin strap and be reflectorized on both sides thereof. The department is hereby authorized to adopt and amend regulations covering the types of helmets and the specifications therefor and to establish and maintain a list of approved helmets which meet the specifications as established hereunder."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.