"As flying objects, such as loose stones kicked up by
passing vehicles or windblown tree branches, striking the operator of a
motorcycle in the head could cause him to lose control of his cycle and become
a menace to other vehicles on the highway, this section bears a reasonable
relation to highway safety generally and, therefore, is not unconstitutional
as an improper exercise of the police power of the state attempting to protect
people from the consequences of their own carelessness." State ex rel.
Colvin v. Lombardi, 104 R.I. 28, 241 A.2d 625 (1968).
"The word "helmet" when considered in the
context of this section is sufficiently definite in meaning to prevent this
section from being unconstitutional as improper delegation of police power to
the registrar on the theory that it would permit regulations calling for
helmets of glass, papier-mâché, or concrete, useless for the purpose of
safety, or require helmets of such materials and construction as to serve only
decorative purposes." State ex rel. Colvin v. Lombardi, 104 R.I.
28, 241 A.2d 625 (1968).
"The registrar may adopt standards and specifications
for helmets that have their origin elsewhere if he finds them proper for use
in this state and the fact that they originated elsewhere and that he relied
on the expertise of others does not amount to a delegation of authority so
that a conviction for operating a motorcycle on the highway without wearing a
helmet is valid under this section." State v. Lombardi, 110 R.I.
776, 298 A.2d 141 (1972).
"The conviction of defendants for operating motorcycles
on the highway without wearing a helmet is not invalid because the regulations
were promulgated without holding a public hearing prior to their promulgation
and adoption as there were no requests for a hearing or for notices and notice
of the proposed regulations was published." State v. Lombardi, 110
R.I. 776, 298 A.2d 141 (1972).
