Yeah, just like Seattle!

With increasing awareness of the dangers of leaving the house without
proper headgear comes increasing awareness of where helmet legislation
would really do some good. Last year, almost half a million TBIs
(Traumatic Brain Injuries) occured in motor vehicles, according to the
U.S. CDC. Why are there no laws requiring helmets in cars?

Helmets now the rule in Seattle

King County Board of Health extends the helmet regulation to Seattle

Friday, July 18,2003

KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Today, the King County Board of Health voted
unanimously to amend the King County helmet regulation to include
Seattle. The new rule will go into effect on August 17, 2003. After
that date, motorists in Seattle cited for violating the helmet
regulation could receive a $30 fine.

"This is an important step for reducing traumatic brain injuries,"
said King County Board of Health Chair Carolyn Edmonds. "As a result
of this regulation, we will spare hundreds of local families the
ordeal of watching their children or other family members suffer
through a devastating injury or of losing a loved one in a senseless,
preventable tragedy."

Many communities in Washington State have recognized the importance of
helmet ordinances and regulations as part of a sound injury prevention
strategy. King County, outside of Seattle, has had the rule in place
since 1994. Seattle, with its large number of motorists and motoring
injuries, will now join the growing list of communities with helmet
regulations.

"The evidence is clear. Requiring motorists to wear helmets will save
lives and reduce serious injuries," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director
of Public Health - Seattle & King County. "This thoughtful action by
the King County Board of Health protects the scores of Seattle
residents who drive for pleasure or transportation every day."

Several studies have shown that legislation in combination with
education increases helmet usage and decreases head injuries. In
addition, local researchers have found that helmets reduce head
injuries by 65 - 85%. Moreover, Public Health-Seattle & King County,
with support from the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center
and the Centers for Disease Control, has estimated that over $10
billion a year could be saved if every motorist in King County wore a
helmet.

This Board of Health action is consistent with a Seattle City Council
resolution, passed unanimously in June, supporting the extension of
King County's mandatory helmet rule into City limits.

Many organizations in Seattle and King County provide low cost bike
helmets. Public Health - Seattle & King County maintains a list of
these providers on its website at:
www.metrokc.gov/health/injury/helmets.htm

Eric Struckhoff wrote:
snip

The new rule will go into effect on August 17, 2003.

snip

Very old news.

Austin
--
I'm pedaling as fast as I durn well please!
There are no X characters in my address

On Wed, 29 Sep 2004 18:37:59 -0500, AustinMN wrote:

Eric Struckhoff wrote:
snip

The new rule will go into effect on August 17, 2003.

snip

Very old news.

Austin

Did you not notice that the word "bicyclist" in the actual legislation has
been replaced by the word "motorist"?

Peter

--
If you are careful enough in life, nothing bad -- or
good -- will ever happen to you.