Motorcycle accidents result in a disproportionate number of deaths or serious injuries on Georgia highways. Even the most experienced motorcycle operator is helpless against a negligent car driver or careless trucker. In addition to the regular rules of the road, which all motor vehicle operators must follow, Georgia law imposes some additional restrictions on motorcyclists. Some of those additional requirements are as follows:
- The operator of a motorcycle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken. (O.C.G.A. 40-6-312)
- No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles. (O.C.G.A. 40-6-312)
- Motorcycles shall not be operated more than two abreast in a single lane. (O.C.G.A. 40-6-312)
- A person operating a motorcycle shall at all times keep his headlights and taillights illuminated. (O.C.G.A. 40-6-312)
- A person operating a motorcycle shall ride only upon the permanent and regular seat attached thereto; and such operator shall not carry any other person nor shall any other person ride on a motorcycle unless such motorcycle is designed to carry more than one person, in which event a passenger may ride upon the permanent and regular seat if designed for two persons or upon another seat firmly attached to the motorcycle at the rear or side of the operator. (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-311)
- A person shall ride upon a motorcycle only while sitting astride the seat, facing forward, with one leg on either side of the motorcycle. (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-311)
- No person shall operate a motorcycle while carrying any package, bundle, or other article which prevents him from keeping both hands on the handlebars. (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-311)
- No operator shall carry any person, nor shall any person ride, in a position that will interfere with the operation or control of the motorcycle or the view of the operator. (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-311)
- No person shall operate or ride upon a motorcycle unless he shall wear some type of footwear in addition to or other than socks. (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-311)
- No person shall operate or ride upon a motorcycle unless he or she is wearing protective headgear which complies with standards established by the commissioner of public safety.(O.C.G.A. § 40-6-315)
- No person shall operate or ride upon a motorcycle if the motorcycle is not equipped with a windshield unless he or she is wearing an eye-protective device of a type approved by the commissioner of public safety.(O.C.G.A. § 40-6-315)
- Any motorcycle carrying a passenger, other than in a sidecar or enclosed cab, shall be equipped with footrests for such passenger.(O.C.G.A. § 40-6-314)
- No person shall operate any motorcycle with handlebars more than 15 inches in height above that portion of the seat occupied by the operator or with a backrest more commonly known as a sissy bar that is designed in such a way as to create a sharp point at its apex.(O.C.G.A. § 40-6-314)
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