Rhode Island and Connecticut both have helmet laws for cyclists, but when it comes to skateboarding, those laws aren't the same. One mother wants to change that. She spoke to lawmakers recently after claiming that her son's death in a skateboarding accident could have been prevented with a helmet.
She wants to see the passing of a law requiring skateboarders to wear helmets if they are under the age of 18. In Connecticut, that looks like it will happen. The state's laws already require helmets while riding bicycles if you're under the age of 16. Skateboarders weren't previously required to wear them at all.
The woman has been visiting stores in Rhode Island and Connecticut to encourage stores to sell skateboard with helmets. She didn't think about purchasing a helmet for her son, even though, by law, he had to wear one when he was riding his bicycle.
Skateboarding accidents result in around 78,000 emergency room visits each year across the United States. All of those incidents involve children under the age of 17.
In this case, her son fell and hit his head. He battled for his life for 10 days in the local hospital.
Personal injuries can happen to anyone. A child playing in the streets could fall and get hurt, a car could strike a child on a skateboard or hit a child on a bike. It's important that children have the right safety gear and that those around or on the roads watch out for their safety. Even a few seconds could make a difference between life and death for a child with injuries.
Source: Hartford Courant, "Politics Tearful Mom Pleads for Skateboarding Helmet Law," Gregory B. Hladky, March 05, 2018
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