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SB 1148

Traffic Safety - As enacted, defines "fully enclosed" as having side panels, a roll bar or roof, and a windshield with regard to crash helmet requirements not applying to autocycles that are fully enclosed. - Amends TCA Title 55.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Rusty Crowe

Tennessee exempts fully enclosed autocycles with side panels, roll bars, roofs, and windshields from mandatory crash helmet requirements for operators.

Comp. became Pub. Ch. 197
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1148

Legislative bill overview

SB 1148 amends Tennessee traffic safety law to exempt fully enclosed autocycles from mandatory crash helmet requirements. The bill defines "fully enclosed" as having side panels, a roll bar or roof, and a windshield. This distinction allows operators of autocycles meeting these structural specifications to ride without helmets.

Why is this important

This bill directly affects road safety regulations for a specific vehicle category and could influence helmet-wearing compliance rates among autocycle operators. It reflects a policy choice about balancing vehicle design protections against mandatory safety equipment requirements, with real implications for injury outcomes in crashes.

Potential points of contention

  • Safety effectiveness debate: Whether structural enclosures (panels, roll bars, roofs) provide equivalent crash protection to helmets for head injuries, or if helmets remain necessary despite enclosure
  • Regulatory consistency: Questions about why autocycles receive exemptions when motorcycles do not, and whether this creates equity concerns across similar vehicle types
  • Definition adequacy: Whether the specified components (side panels, roll bar/roof, windshield) truly constitute sufficient protection, or if enforcement of these standards will be difficult to verify

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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