N.J. Senate approves bills requiring helmets

[RootDKJ]

It's been awhile since we've had a good helmet thread.

TRENTON — The state Senate approved two bills today aimed at making downhill skiing safer for children and motorcycle riding safer for novices.
One bill would require kids who ski or snowboard to wear a helmet. The Senate approved (S130) by a 33-2 vote today.
Sponsored by Sens. Anthony Bucco (R-Morris) and Joseph Pennacchio (R-Morris), the legislation calls for fining parents, legal guardians or supervising adults $25 for the first offense, and up to $100 for future offenses.

Link -> http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/08/nj_senate_approves_bills_requi.html

Link to the actual bill (PDF) -> http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2010/Bills/S0500/130_I1.PDF

 

[Glenn]

Welcome to America. Please leave your personal freedoms in the bin by the door.

 

[RootDKJ]

Wow..I was just reading the bill.

21 b. If a ski operator fails to issue a protective helmet to a person
22 under 14 years of age, the operator shall be subject to a penalty of
23 $100 for each failure to issue a helmet. The penalty shall be
24 collected and enforced by summary proceedings under the "Penalty
25 Enforcement Law of 1999" P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.).

34 d. A ski operator shall issue to and require persons under 14
35 years of age to attach a distinctive colored-tag to the person’s ski
36 lift ticket to identify that person as one required to wear a protective
37 helmet as specified in subsection a. of this section.

 

[Riverskier]

No problem with laws protecting children. Too many stupid parents out there. Adults..... thats another story. I don't need the govt protecting me from myself.

 

[bvibert]

No problem with laws protecting children. Too many stupid parents out there. Adults..... thats another story. I don't need the govt protecting me from myself.

I agree to a point, it can be a slippery slope though, IMHO. Also from the excerpts that Root posted it seems like they're putting too much burden on the ski areas...

 

[gmcunni]

Welcome to America. Please leave your personal freedoms in the bin by the door.

you are free to NOT ski in NJ

 

[RootDKJ]

So here's what I don't get. This Bill was put forth by two senators from Morris county. The last time I checked, there's no place ski areas in Morris county.

I worry that smaller ski areas like Hidden Valley & Campgaw will either have to make large investments to comply with the law, or send their business elsewhere. Not a smart move either way.

 

[Riverskier]

I agree to a point, it can be a slippery slope though, IMHO. Also from the excerpts that Root posted it seems like they're putting too much burden on the ski areas...

I read that excerpt after posting and completely disagree with making it the ski areas responsibility to provide them. Pretty ridiculous actually. Personally I wouldn't vote for a law like this, as I would prefer less govt. intervention in my life, and not more. However, I am generally much more supportive of laws protecting children, and this isn't really a bad thing in my opinion if done correctly.

 

[bobbutts]

Let's just mandate kids wear helmets 24/7
if it saves just one precious life it's worth it, right?

 

[Black Phantom]

Let's just mandate kids wear helmets 24/7
if it saves just one precious life it's worth it, right?

Don't forget elbow pads, shin pads, mouth guards...

 

[4aprice]

Welcome to the Peoples Republic of New Jersey. I was an employee of Hidden Valley when a girl got killed from being hit by another skier. Her father was a prominate doctor in Morristown and really pushed hard for a law requiring children to wear helmets skiing. Probably how the reps from Morris County got involved. I wouldn't ski without a helmet now but forcing it on people? Typical NJ. At least PA is still somewhat free.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[frankm938]

you are free to NOT ski in NJ

good point if you are talking about govt owned ski areas. if its privately owned then the owner should be able to decide who has to wear helmets

 

[gmcunni]

i wonder if ski areas support this type of law? i'd assume the ski area is the target of the lawsuit when someone gets hurt and having that helmet requirement could be in their best interest.

not saying the ski resort needs to foot the bill for outfitting everyone with a helmet but they could require one before allowing access. i think they "require" (but perhaps don't enforce well) brakes or retaining straps on skis/boards, is this so different?

 

[WWF-VT]

According to preliminary findings of the 2009/10 NSAA National Demographic Study, 57% of skiers and snowboarders wear helmets at U.S. ski areas. Helmet sales increased 23% in units sold to an all-time record 1.23 million helmets sold. Helmet usage among those interviewed nationwide for the NSAA Demographic Study increased 19% over the 2008/09 season, when 48% of those interviewed were wearing helmets. In 2002/03 just one in four skiers/riders wore helmets.

 

[drjeff]

Debate the freedom issues all you want. The simple fact is nowadays for KIDS, many resorts won't let kids into their programs if they're not wearing a helmet. Heck, even in NJ, atleast last year when Intrawest still owned them, all employees of Mountain Creek were supposed to be wearing a helmet when they were on the slopes. Additionally most kids these days are used to wearing them, if not required by law to be wearing them (helmets) when riding a bike.

As a parent, I think that this is the correct thing to do for kids, and I somehow doubt that New Jersey will be the last state that passes legislation like this for kids

 

[gmcunni]

Debate the freedom issues all you want. The simple fact is nowadays for KIDS, many resorts won't let kids into their programs if they're not wearing a helmet. Heck, even in NJ, atleast last year when Intrawest still owned them, all employees of Mountain Creek were supposed to be wearing a helmet when they were on the slopes. Additionally most kids these days are used to wearing them, if not required by law to be wearing them (helmets) when riding a bike.

As a parent, I think that this is the correct thing to do for kids, and I somehow doubt that New Jersey will be the last state that passes legislation like this for kids

i don't allow my kids to ski without a helmet, however, i'm not a good role model.

 

[bvibert]

Let's just mandate kids wear helmets 24/7
if it saves just one precious life it's worth it, right?

It's funny, my kids wear helmets a lot of the time that they're outside playing already... :dunce:

We require them to wear helmets when they ride their bikes around the yard, but when they're done on the bikes they often go off to play with something else while still wearing the helmets (especially our 3 year old who hasn't figured out how to take it off yet). :lol:

We're worried that the neighbors are going to think our kids are special...

 

[Glenn]

you are free to NOT ski in NJ

Good point. I'll have to alert Root.

"Dear Root,
I live in CT...and still haven't made it to Sundown. I'm going to have to cross off any Jersey ski days this year. But I probably wouldn't have made it anyways.

Fondly,
Tansville Wallingford"

 

[bobbutts]

It's funny, my kids wear helmets a lot of the time that they're outside playing already... :dunce:

We require them to wear helmets when they ride their bikes around the yard, but when they're done on the bikes they often go off to play with something else while still wearing the helmets (especially our 3 year old who hasn't figured out how to take it off yet). :lol:

We're worried that the neighbors are going to think our kids are special...

My daughter loves the helmet too for some non-helmet activities lol. I'm all for it. IMO though, this is between the kids and the parents or guardians + the resort (if they wish to regulate). Not the govt

 

[wa-loaf]

I worry that smaller ski areas like Hidden Valley & Campgaw will either have to make large investments to comply with the law, or send their business elsewhere.

It's a new revenue stream. No helmet? Sorry, you can't ski unless you rent one from us.