KLAS-TV Channel 8 News Las VegasHelmet Requirements Under Nevada Law

Helmet Requirements Under Nevada Law

One man is dead and his grandson is recovering after a scooter accident Thursday afternoon. Police say 59-year-old Robert Solomon had his 4-year-old grandson sitting in front of him when he lost control of the scooter, hit a curb and flew into a fire hydrant near Warm Springs and Eastern.

Solomon died from his injuries, but he had thrown his grandson off the scooter before the crash. The child is in good condition and is recovering at Sunrise Hospital.

They were not wearing helmets.

What are the rules for helmets in Las Vegas? Helmets are required depending on the size of the motor. Two scooters might look similar, but if one has larger motor capacity, you would be required by law to wear a helmet.

Eyewitness News talked to a local scooter driver. Mike Pira says he'll take a scooter over his car any day of the week. He loves the fresh air, the wind in his face and the feel of the road, which is why he prefers not to wear a helmet.

Pira said, "I don't like wearing a helmet. Growing up in Illinois there was never a helmet law."

And he doesn't have to because his Vespa has only a 50 CC engine and goes about 35 to 40 miles per hour.

Bob Barkhuff is a valley scooter shop owner. He explains, "The CCs stands for cubic centimeters, which is the size of the motor."

Barkhuff says by Nevada law anything under 50 CCs doesn't require proof of insurance, registration or a helmet. But anything above that is a totally different story. And he is correct. But not everyone wears a helmet that should.

Scooter storeowner Bob Barkhuff continued, "You have to be careful when looking at the bike. Sometimes, you won't be able to tell how many CCs they are. And that's how people can get away with it. Either way everyone should wear helmet."

Barkhuff tries to sell all his customers helmets. However, most of the time he says they pass.

Mike Pira will never wear a helmet. But he does say with the way motorists drive in Las Vegas, he will think about it.

Eyewitness News was told that scooter sales have become so popular, stores like Bob's have to wait three months before getting more.

Email reporter Tedd Florendo at tflorendo@klastv.com