Boy dies in Okemo ski crash

[Greg]

We have a similiar law here for bicycles, and if the child is caught without a helmet, the parent gets fined 25 bucks the first offense. Seems to work quite well. The police and bicycle safety officers pass out free bike helmets for kids that can't afford them. A similiar free helmet program will have to be developed for children that can't afford to buy one. Hopefully by the time the child turns 14, they're used to wearing a helmet and continue to wear one.

Yeah, but how is it enforced? Is ski patrol supposed to ask kids for their birth certificate or something? I'm not trying to be snide....

 

[hammer]

Interesting. But how do you enforce it? There are many 14 year olds that look 11 or 12 and vice versa. Also, by mandating something like this, isn't it more likely that when the kid turns 14 he's gonna say, "I'm 14 now...old enough to not have to wear the helmet..."? Don't get me wrong; I think all kids should wear a helmet and as a recent convert to the ranks of the helmeted, it's probably a good idea for everybody, but the ultimate responsibility lies with the parents.

Good point on the enforcement...with helmet laws, at least there are police patrolling the neighborhoods who can ID kids who don't wear helmets.

I think a spot where a helmet check can be done is when lift tickets are checked. It may be tough to get the 13 YO kids but most people want to get 12 and unders a cheaper lift ticket. So, when a lift ticket is checked and it's a youth ticket, then the kid either has a helmet or doesn't get on the lift.

 

[Greg]

I think a spot where a helmet check can be done is when lift tickets are checked. It may be tough to get the 13 YO kids but most people want to get 12 and unders a cheaper lift ticket. So, when a lift ticket is checked and it's a youth ticket, then the kid either has a helmet or doesn't get on the lift.

Ahhh...now that's a pretty good approach. Maybe extend the Youth rate to align with the helmet age...?

 

[TeleGrrrl]

Actually that's a great idea! I'll pass it on!!! More suggestions welcomed.

 

[JimG.]

Actually that's a great idea! I'll pass it on!!! More suggestions welcomed.

Yes, it is a good idea...you might want to consider making the checkpoint at ticket sales and not the lift though; people would be pretty upset if they were sold a ticket and then told they can't get on the lift because of no helmet. Marketing materials would have to boldly state the policy too.

Happy campers are more likely to abide by the rules.

 

[hammer]

Actually that's a great idea! I'll pass it on!!! More suggestions welcomed.

Yes, it is a good idea...you might want to consider making the checkpoint at ticket sales and not the lift though; people would be pretty upset if they were sold a ticket and then told they can't get on the lift because of no helmet. Marketing materials would have to boldly state the policy too.

Happy campers are more likely to abide by the rules.

Agree...when the lift ticket is purchased, do a helmet check, and if they don't have one then offer a helmet rental.
The check at the lift could also be done to make sure that they are in fact being worn...