A person from another site mentioned his friend got a ticket for not wearing his helmet on his own "private property" here in Michigan. This got me wondering, so I sent an email to the DNR, and got this response on Friday. I don't know how laws like this get passed without our knowledge!!! I'm certainly not planning on wearing one while I plow snow, or haul around a garden tractor in the summer.

Date: Fri, 19 Jan 2001 11:52:01 -0500
From: "Stephen Kubisiak" <KUBISIAS@state.mi.us>
To: <gunsammo@yahoo.com>
CC: "Thomas Laird" <LAIRDT@state.mi.us>
Subject: Re: ORV Regulations


Dear Mr. Kirk:

Your questions concerning ORV helmet and eye protection regulations were forwarded to me for reply.

Under Michigan law, all ORV operators must wear a helmet and eye protection when operating an ORV on all lands, including private property.

Following is an excerpt from P.A. 451 of 1994, as amended.

Prohibited acts apply to all lands including private property.

324.81133 Operation of ORV; prohibited acts.

Sec. 81133. A person shall not operate an ORV:

(b) Unless the person and any passenger in or on the vehicle is wearing on his or her head a crash helmet and protective eyewear approved by the United States department of transportation. This subdivision does not apply if the vehicle is equipped with a roof that meets or exceeds
standards for a crash helmet and the operator and each passenger is wearing a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt.

Conservation Officers, like any other law enforcement official, have jurisdiction on both public and private lands. If you have further
questions concerning the DNR's law enforcement authority and policies, please feel free to contact Mr. Thomas Laird of our Law Enforcement Division at 517-335-3422.

I hope I have clarified this issue for you.

Steve Kubisiak
ORV Program Manager
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Forest Management Division
517-373-1665

 

I'm not sure on the laws...Put your helmet on...someday it might help.

 

Kirk,

That's a load of _____. I can't believe they have a law saying you have to wear a helmet on private property. I hope you do you part in trying to get that part of the law overturned.