Bill Would Extend Teen Helmet Laws To Ice Skates, Scooters In New Jersey
TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Changes in the state's helmet laws for teens could be coming soon to New Jersey.
Ice skaters and scooter riders 17 or younger would be required for the first time to wear helmets under legislation being considered in the state Senate. The bill also increases the helmet requirement age for riding a bike, roller skates and skateboards from 16 to 17.
Five-year-old Jackson is ahead of the state when it comes to safety on his scooter, CBS2's Alice Gainer reports. He says he always wears a helmet.
"They tumble off these even easier than a bike," his mother, Kelly O'Kelly, said. "And in Hoboken, the kids rides these scooters everywhere."
Bill Would Extend Teen Helmet Laws To Ice Skates, Scooters In New Jersey
It may not seem cool, but State Senator Joe Vitale says he's heard enough from head and brain injury specialist to know the threat is real.
"I understand that," Vitale said. "The kids are kids and they're of course invincible and it'll never happen to them until God forbid it does."
Vitale says his bill will save the kids from themselves.
"There have been many cases where young people without helmets have had some serious head injuries because they did not use the helmets," Vitale added.
Dr. Max Byte in Aurora said falling off a scooter can lead to serious brain damage.
"Even a relatively minor fall off a scooter when you hit your head on concrete or pavement can lead to a pretty significant brain injury," Byte said. "And unlike a sprained ankle or broken leg the brain doesn't heal completely an could end up with permanent brain damage."
The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee is considering the legislation Thursday. Under current law parents or guardians of a minor who fails to wear a helmet when biking, roller skating or skateboarding face a $25 fine for the first offense. This legislation expands that provision to parents of ice skaters or scooter riders.
Figure skaters involved in organized competition would be exempt.
Similar legislation passed an Assembly committee.
(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
