Mounted CarbonBits Aeroscreen

[sdcat]

I love this car! It's so fun to drive around with the aeroscreen. I'm sure I'll catch a rock in the chin eventually, but it might be worth it! The carbon on the windscreen is much shinier than the rest of the old carbon on the car, but still looks great. And I lost 10 lbs by replacing the stock windscreen! That almost makes up for the wieght gain with the FIA roll bar/strut/intrusion bar.

Justin

[Doug Liedblad]

Less turbulance too.

[sdcat]

Yes, it's actually less noisy and the wind less disturbing driving with the small aeroscreen than driving with the windshield with no doors/top. I'll probably leave the full windshield on most of the time for the street to avoid attracting attention from police and for protection from rocks, but I think this is going to be great on the track and for driving around my neighborhood.

Justin

[Doug Liedblad]

I went to Brooklands 3 or 4 years ago and have not gone back.

The police leave me alone, at least as far as equipment goes.

I wear goggles on the freeway for dust and sometimes earplugs. More for wind in the ear than the noise.

So far rocks have not been an issue.

Doug

[magnusfeuer]

I have the carbon bits aeroscreen as well. I usually wear a helmet when I am on the freeway, which will save you in case somebody drops a lawnmower from his truck in front of you.

[sdcat]

That sure sounds like the safest way to get around, but I wonder about raising questions and attracting attention. Do you know if it's legal to wear a helmet in a car on the freeway?

Justin

[Doug Liedblad]

I've been told that it is not legal which makes no sense to me.

This is 3rd hand rumor so maybe someone else will know better.

I've used my helmet several times and never been stopped but then I'm not sure anyone that can write a ticket has seen me.

Doug

[Doug Liedblad]

As far as I can tell the California Vehicle Code does not say anything about wearing helmets in cars.

My contacts in law enforcement don't know the answer either. One LAPD (retired) one new CHP officer.

The usual disclaimer if some local law enforcer disagrees with my expertise.

Are earplugs illegal? Yes, except:

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.

If doing d) above does that mean I qualify for a noise violation?

Doug

[slomove]

I think the helmet may even be O.K. but the lack of a windshield may be the issue (Cal Vehicle Code, see below). The exception (b) is for the "horseless carriages": before 1922, "historical value" or 16 cylinders or more (huh?). Don't think a Caterham qualifies. You may want to argue that an aeroscreen is totally "adequate", though ;-) It did not say that the windshield has to be transparent.

Windshields: Exception

26700. (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), a passenger vehicle, other than a motorcycle, and every bus, motortruck or truck tractor, and every firetruck, fire engine or other fire apparatus, whether publicly or privately owned, shall be equipped with an adequate windshield.

(b) Subdivision (a) does not apply to any vehicle issued identification plates pursuant to Section 5004 which was not required to be equipped with a windshield at the time it was first sold or registered under the laws of this state, another state, or foreign jurisdiction.
Amended Ch. 222, Stats. 1983. Effective January 1, 1984.

[magnusfeuer]

... and what will the judge say to the notion that an aeroscreen is adequate if the driver wears a (supposedly legal) helmet? A helmet must surely provide a better protection than a piece of Pinkerton manufactured glass suspended between two aluminum brackets.

My suggestion is that sdcat does 120+mph on the 405 with a helmet and aeroscreen until he gets busted, and then goes to court only to contest the windshield citation.

We all promise that we will visit you in jail.

/Magnus F.

[Doug Liedblad]

'adequate windshield'.

Seems open to interpertation. Brooklands are clearly adequate.

In any case I've driven with them for 4+ years. The only time the police have questioned me was to find out what kind of car it is.

I asked an officer in OC if cars like this were 'targets' and he said no.

They're looking for the 'rice rocket' crowd. Unless you are going 120 on the 405.

[Elv15]

Helmets

Personally, I don't care if it is legal or not - Its my head!! I'll wear a helmet if I darn well choose to! (like Magnus, I will wear my helmet when I'm driving on the freeway).

[Sean]

Ironically, the standard windshield is less "adequate" at actually shielding one from the wind than either the aeroscreens or the Brooklands screens. However, it is undoubtedly better than either of the other two at shielding one from everything else!

I could find no text in current California law relating to wearing a helmet while driving a car, whether for, against, or otherwise. As for me, I always imagine wearing a helmet when I'm imagining driving on the freeway when I'm in the garage working on my car. :)

[Doug Liedblad]

At least you no longer have to imagine the car to work on.

[moosetestbestanden]

At least you no longer have to imagine the car to work on.

Imagine that:D