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Sooo I have a question. Is it illegal for a motorcyclist to be listening to a ipod while riding? Cuz here in Oregon it is illegal for motorists to be talking on the cellphone and driving (unless they are using a hands free devise) and I also think it is illegal for motorist to be listening to headphones while driving as well. However do any of you know, or know where I can find out the laws?
thanks
JP

I know it's a state by state thing. I know it's illegal here in CO but ti's legal in AZ.

It isn't so much the "what" as HOW.

In Maryland, "in ear" sound is illegal, ie earbuds as for an iPod, but helmet speakers are okay. In Virginia, helmet sound/earbuds are okay only if they're part of a communications system - someone will probably correct me on the details for VA - but how an officer is going to be able to tell if you're listening to another rider or music is beyond me.

The AMA's website has state by state motorcycle laws. So a rider isn't caught unawares if they cross state lines.

P

Pam pretty much has it for Va, only helmet speakers are allowed in Va and only allowed if part of a motorcycle communications system. There are no stipulations on using it for communicating though.

It's great to know what your state says, and any state you pass through since the law can lay some serious fines down. For instance, if you drive through Va with a louder than stock car exhaust, and darker than allowed tint you can get $800 of fines for a primary offense since it's a safety violation. Out of state excuses don't apply. Every state has it's thing and loves to enforce it.

Actually, this is a good point... Does anybody happen to know the situation in England?

From what I can find from the Oregon state website, there's nothing motorcycle specific against speakers and headphones. See more here: http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors/814.html

Sorry but DO NOT trust the AMA website on this. For Colorado they just say no restrictions on helmet speakers but make no mention of the fact that it is illegal to have an earphone in more than one ear. (Helmet speakers are considered speakers and not headphones) I am not sure but I believe that earphone is a secondary offence like seat belts.

I have been pulled over in New York while riding and the officer said it was because I was riding with one hand on the bars and adjusting my ipod with the other. He said nothing about the in-ear speakers. I didn't get a ticket, he just told me it was unwise. I live in Virginia now and I have been stopped once on my bike. Fortunately, the officer was nice and didn't give me a ticket for speeding. But I say that because when I stopped, I had to take off my helmet and pull out the in-ear speakers before I could talk to him. But even after making him wait a few moments, he didn't say anything about my ipod or the in-ear buds. So it there's a law against it in VA, the cops don't seem to care much.

i was stopped last year for what the officer believed was a license plate infraction and he had to wait for me to take out my earbuds, too. he seemed pretty hellbent on writing me up for something, but he didn't even mention the earphones. i should definitely look it up and see what the letter of the law is, though, since having the defense of "i didn't get in trouble before, it must be ok," isn't very wise.