# Crotch Rockets & Brain Buckets

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crotch-rockets-brain-buckets/295008>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 17, 2005, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crotch-rockets-brain-buckets/295008 "2005-03-17T17:14:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2005, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crotch-rockets-brain-buckets/295008/21 "2005-03-18T20:35:13Z")

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> [@TV time](#):
>
> Is the logic of the no-earplug law so a person on a bike can hear emergency vehicles?

I believe that the prohibition on covering both ears was for that purpose.

_BUT!!!_

[The law was ammended in 2003](http://www.calhsta.org/library/cacode.html) (emphasis added, subparagraph d):

[quote]  
\*\*\*Ear Plugs \*\*  
[Note: At the close of 2003, the California legislature passed a bill which allows non-custom (i.e., foam) earplugs to be worn by motorcyclists. The updated version of the relevant code is posted here.] \*

For those concerned about hearing damage, and who therefore wear earplugs when riding, here is the law as it pertains to you.

[ul][li]\*27400. A person operating a motor vehicle or bicycle may not wear a headset covering, or earplugs in, both ears. This prohibition does not apply to any of the following:[/li]li A person operating authorized emergency vehicles, as defined in Section 165.[/li]li A person engaged in the operation of either special construction equipment or equipment for use in the maintenance of any highway.[/li]li A person engaged in the operation of refuse collection equipment who is wearing a safety headset or safety earplugs.[/li][li]**(d) A person wearing personal hearing protectors in the form of earplugs or molds that are specifically designed to attenuate injurious noise levels. The plugs or molds shall be designed in a manner so as to not inhibit the wearer’s ability to hear a siren or horn from an emergency vehicle or a horn from another motor vehicle.**[/li]li A person using a prosthetic device that aids the hard of hearing.[/ul][/li][/quote]

Unlike **TV Time** , I olny wear earplugs on longer trips (100 miles or more). When I do, I use the little yellow cylindrical plugs. Are they legal? As long as they ‘do not inhibit the wearer’s ability to hear a siren or horn’. Seems as if there’s some leeway there. The yellow plugs are not _designed_ in such a manner. I can hold a conversation while wearing them. But I can also jam them in so tight that I can’t hear a thing.

> [@archmichael](#):
>
> Don’t know for sure, but it might be just an odd California thing like lane splitting.

A most civilised thing, indeed! 😃[From here](http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/answers.html):

> [@](#):
>
> **Can motorcycle riders “split” lanes and ride between other vehicles?**
> 
> Lane splitting by motorcycles is permissible but must be done in a safe and prudent manner.

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