New Helmet Law - New York ?

[Edd]

Never see any ghetto kids wear helmets.

Hey that's it, free gov't helmets for everyone.

You're killing it with idiotic posts lately. Kudos.

 

[Riverskier]

No problem with this. I won't get specific, as to avoid getting overly political, but I don't support ANY laws protecting me from myself. However, anyone can have kids... and I don't have a problem with laws aimed to protect them until they are 18.

 

[skiNEwhere]

So I guess14 is the age the state assumes a normal kid can make reasonable, sound decisions on their own? Just seems kind of arbitrary

 

[deadheadskier]

Maybe choosing 14 is about ease of enforcement at the ski areas. At that age a ski resort employee can give someone a quick glance and make a reasonable determination that they're still a kid. As opposed to say 18 when age becomes more difficult to determine by a quick glance.

 

[BenedictGomez]

If this was a requirement for people of all ages, then I'd agree with ss and steamboat.

Then you agree with ss and steamboat, just not until 2021 or so when that law predictably goes into effect too.

 

[Cornhead]

So I guess14 is the age the state assumes a normal kid can make reasonable, sound decisions on their own? Just seems kind of arbitrary

View attachment 20325
This is what I was choosing at 14, probably should've been wearing a helmet.

 

[Cornhead]

^

 

[HowieT2]

No problem with this. I won't get specific, as to avoid getting overly political, but I don't support ANY laws protecting me from myself. However, anyone can have kids... and I don't have a problem with laws aimed to protect them until they are 18.

I used to be of this mind set, specifically when I started driving and seat belt laws were coming in to effect. I felt as you do, that its my body and I'll decide the risks I want to take. I disagree now, though. no one used to wear seat belts. now everyone does because of those laws. countless lives have been saved in the process and at little to no cost. why?because the law got everyone in the habit of reflexively putting the seat belt on. people make stupid irrational decisions or are just lazy. The helmet doesnt only protect your head. the individual is not the only one effected by the decision to not wear a helmet. If a crash happens, ski patrol has to pick up the pieces of your skull. EMT's have to tend your brain oozing out. a heli crew has to fly to a hospital. The mountain has to deal with your demise and possibly litigation to follow. the whole sport suffers bad publicity when a skier is tragically killed.
wearing a helmet is no big deal. if one life is saved, one injury prevented, its worth it.

 

[drjeff]

Maybe choosing 14 is about ease of enforcement at the ski areas. At that age a ski resort employee can give someone a quick glance and make a reasonable determination that they're still a kid. As opposed to say 18 when age becomes more difficult to determine by a quick glance.

There's a bunch of ski areas that use age 14 as the transition age from a "junior" ticket to a "young adult" ticket

Would make a check easy if anyone with a "junior" ticket had to have a helmet on

 

[steamboat1]

Just another law that won't be enforced. Plenty of them on the books. Makes the political hacks feel like they've done something though.

 

[HowieT2]

Just another law that won't be enforced. Plenty of them on the books. Makes the political hacks feel like they've done something though.

These laws don't come out of nowhere. I doubt some representative thought of this and pushed it through. More likely the ski resorts and or helmet manufacturers are behind this.

 

[cdskier]

These laws don't come out of nowhere. I doubt some representative thought of this and pushed it through. More likely the ski resorts and or helmet manufacturers are behind this.

Or a representative had a personal experience with a kid that got hurt not wearing a helmet. Could have just been a minor injury that simply served as a wake up call.

 

[gmcunni]

in America... kid who's parents don't put a helmet on his head gets hurt @ NY ski resort. Parents sue state AND resort for negligence since they didn't stop the kid from skiing.

(NOTE -

Under the bill, the parents or guardian of a child caught skiing without a helmet could be fined $50, but law enforcement authorities could only issue a ticket if the violation occurs in the parents or guardian's presence.

)

 

[BenedictGomez]

Just another law that won't be enforced. Plenty of them on the books. Makes the political hacks feel like they've done something though.

Yup. New York State troopers aren't going to be spending a lot of time patrolling Gore on skis looking for un-helmeted 12 year olds.

 

[abc]

Well no one in my family is under 14 so who cares.

Just more Nanny state regulations. Everyone should be entitled to make their own decision regarding use of a helmet, not have it forced upon you.

Sounds like YOU care?

 

[abc]

I happen to think it's a useful law.

I disagree with those who said the law was aimed at punishing parents. Like kids on bike, they're not always within sight of their parents.

Having it on the book allows resorts to enforce the helmet requirement (if they so wish, I believe some wish to). That would be helpful given how often kids of 10 and over ski with their friends rather than with their parents.

 

[BenedictGomez]

Having it on the book allows resorts to enforce the helmet requirement.

No it doesn't, they could already do so if they wish.

 

[Edd]

No it doesn't, they could already do so if they wish.

Maybe ski area A would be gun shy about instituting a helmet requirement if ski area B up the road doesn't also. Competitive disadvantage.

A law would level the field, at least within state lines.

 

[Smellytele]

These laws don't come out of nowhere. I doubt some representative thought of this and pushed it through. More likely the ski resorts and or helmet manufacturers are behind this.

Insurance company lobby

 

[steamboat1]

NJ has had a ski helmet law since 2011, under 18. Both the CA Assembly & Senate passed a ski helmet law in 2011, it was vetoed by the Governor.