Photo by jakesmome

A new bill before the Kansas Senate would hold parents of children under the age of 18 responsible if their kid is caught riding or driving a motorcycle without a helmet. It’s already illegal in Kansas for anyone under 18 to drive or ride a motorcycle without wearing a helmet. But currently, it’s the child who gets a ticket.

If the bill passes, it means “adults could be ticketed for that now, too,” said Hutchinson Police Sgt. Brian Hirt.

According to Hirt, teens age 14 through 17 can already be cited for not wearing a helmet; a ticket for the offense nets a $25 fine and $75 in court costs.

I am not too sure if legislation is going to make parents responsible for their kids, but at least they will have to pay a penalty if they’re not. A fine would be a far cheaper than the medical expenses or worst yet the emotional cost if their child is injured in an accident because they were not wearing a helmet.