Three-wheeled Vehicles and Helmets
While in California, riding in a Polaris Slingshot or similar and you believe that because it has a seat belt you don't need a helmet, wrong.
27803. (a) A driver and any passenger shall wear a safety helmet meeting requirements established pursuant to Section 27802 when riding on a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle.
(b) It is unlawful to operate a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle if the driver or any passenger is not wearing a safety helmet as required by subdivision (a).
(c) It is unlawful to ride as a passenger on a motorcycle, motor-driven cycles, or motorized bicycle if the driver or any passenger is not wearing a safety helmet as required by subdivision (a).
(d) This section applies to persons who are riding on motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, or motorized bicycles operated on the highways.
(e) For the purposes of this section, “wear a safety helmet” or “wearing a safety helmet” means having a safety helmet meeting the requirements of Section 27802 on the person’s head that is fastened with the helmet straps and that is of a size that fits the wearing person’s head securely without excessive lateral or vertical movement.
(f) This section does not apply to a person operating, or riding as a passenger in, a fully enclosed three-wheeled motor vehicle that is not less than seven feet in length and not less than four feet in width, and has an unladen weight of 900 pounds or more, if the vehicle meets or exceeds all of the requirements of this code, the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, and the rules and regulations adopted by the United States Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
(g) In enacting this section, it is the intent of the Legislature to ensure that all persons are provided with an additional safety benefit while operating or riding a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle.
(Amended by Stats. 1997, Ch. 710, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 1998.)
First, while the Slingshot does weight 1,750 lbs so more than the 900 lb minimum, it is not fully enclosed. Second, and more importantly, the vehicle does not meet applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards as documented both in the owner's manual and on a safety sicker in the cockpit.
The SLINGSHOT vehicle does NOT comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and regulations of the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) applicable to passenger cars in the USA.
So, wear your helmet and fasten your seat belt when operating a Slingshot or similar vehicle in California.