Rather than facing a fine, however, children would most likely receive educational materials on helmet safety. Approximately 100,000 inline skaters and 26,000 skateboarders are sent annually to emergency rooms for injuries. As a pediatrician working in the emergency department of Hasbro's Childrens Hospital in Providence, Dr. Lynne Palmisciano has seen her share of injuries caused by not wearing protective gear. But the number has increased sharply since last spring, when scooters became popular throughout the United States. We have seen serious head injuries, such as concussions and skull fractures, that could have been prevented had they worn helmets.
Helmets work by absorbing the energy of an impact to minimize or prevent head injuries.
Both Gov. Lincoln Almond and members of the medical community support the legislation. Let's not wait for more injuries to occur. Let's act now and make our children just a little more safer. The bill has been sent to the House Committee on Health, Education and Welfare. If passed and signed into law by the governor, the measure would take effect on Jan. 1, 2002.