Significance

• Dust, rocks, insects and other forms of road debris can cause many problems while riding a motorcycle. This debris can cause eye injuries, or at a minimum, a temporary irritation, blinding the rider just long enough to create the possibility of a crash.
  
  

Types

• Eye protection is available in many forms, ranging from enclosed full-face helmets, to goggles and sunglasses, and detachable visors designed for use of half-helmets. Suitable eye protection should offer some sort of shatter-proof properties.
  
  

Functions

• Aside from providing basic protection against foreign debris, many types of motorcycle eyewear can provide protection from the wind and sun. An lens coated with an anti-fog solution may also improve vision in varying weather conditions.
  
  

Legal Requirements

• With regard to helmet use laws, 16 states do not require the use of eye protection: Alabama, California, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Wyoming.
  
  

Sunglasses

• Many riders use sunglasses as a form of protection. However, most sunglasses are not designed to resist the force of an impact and are often blown out of place by the wind. If you must use sunglasses, select a motorcycle-specific pair.