More ski helmet laws in US
Saturday August 28, 2010 - Email this article to a friend

Earlier this month legislators in California passed a law by 42 votes to 20 requiring people under 18 to wear a helmet while skiing or snowboarding in the state.

Last week the senate passed it and it now goes to the desk of the governor, the former film star Arnold Schwarzenegger.

It went through on a non-political vote.

Senate Bill 880 orders all people under the age of 18 to wear a helmet while skiing or snowboarding. It also requires the resorts themselves to publicise the new legislation on signs, piste maps, websites and other places.

If signed by Schwarzenegger parents could be fined up to $25 if their children break the law.

Now polititians in New Jersey have passed a similar law and it too awaits ratification from its Senate.

It was voted though by a large majority, 33 for and only 2 votes against.

Probably a very good ideaIn New Jersey children would have to wear a helmet while sledging or tobogganing too.

Parents, guardians or supervising adults will be fined if children do not wear a helmet.

$25 in the first instance and then up to $100 for any further offences.

Wearing a helmet is now common for many with some people believing it should be left up the individual to decide and others supporting legislation as the best way to protect people.

Here at PlanetSKI we take the former view and think the debate is a heathy one.

There is growing compulsion in the US and less so in Europe.

We also support further scientific research into the whole issue so accurate information can be established into the protection that helmets offer.

If you have a view on wearing a helmet and want to take part in a survey being done by the University of Surrey then see this related PlanetSKI story.

Bookmark this page

Related Articles