| With the help of
lead author Representative Beverly Bruce, Think First, Charity Hospital Trauma Program,
Louisiana SAFE KIDS, and safety advocates from around the state, House Bill 81 was passed
on June 6, 2001. This bill requires children under 12 years of age to wear bicycle
helmets. The new law, which will take effect in March 2002, requires helmet usage
for children riding bicycles on public roadways, public bicycle paths and other public
right of ways.
"Although there is no monetary penalty, we believe this is an excellent way to start
indoctrinating the use of bicycle helmets," said Kerry Chausmer, Louisiana SAFE
KIDS, Inc. "We are looking forward to a day when children riding unhelmeted is
unacceptable."
Published reports using the
TBI/SCI Injury Registry reveal that in 1998, 34 Louisiana children aged 12 and under
suffered bicylce-related traumatic brain injuries. Over three-fourths of these
children were less than 10 years old.
"Parents need to take an
active role in the safety of their children. Safety includes being sure that they
use proper safety equipment like bike helmets," said Bridget Schumert, Charity
Hospital Trauma Program. "As a nurse, it is especially painful to see children
whose injuries could have been prevented. Approved helmets (by Consumer Product
Safety Commission) cost about $10, which is considerably less than the cost of a brain
injury." |
