Post by Wyldcomfort on May 22, 2007 23:50:51 GMT -5
Hello, It just connected...With regards to the exclusion for kids and loading I personally don't think we need that exclusion. I was thinking back to the original Helmet bill and the exclusion for loading but that was regarding adults. I don't think we currently have an exclusion for kids and helmets except for farming. My guess is that the exclusion came along with the chin strap but maybe we should consider the risk of having kids loading without helmets and not having that exclusion in this bill. Just my two cents and sorry I was delayed in my response. I did review the fatalities for kids and it doesn't appear there have been any recently from loading and unloading but my kids have to have a helmet on anytime they are on a bike. Statistics have shown this to be a higher-risk activity in general. Sometimes when the adults load we won't wear one as we are loading beds, sleeping bags, pillows, etc. but we also have a very safe gradual ramp and wide enclosed trailer. Some of the trailers - and back of trucks, could clearly put kids at risk and certainly accidents happen. I will leave it up to you as you have a better feel for where this bill is. Common sense says if they have to wear one riding - they have to wear one riding period, including loading. There is no exemption for it now, why add one. We will support your decision. Thank you for keeping everyone informed and doing such a nice job hosting us all at the hearings. Lindy
Explanation for the group - There is an amendment to SB 101 requiring that the chin straps be secured for children. This carried over from the helmet bill that failed. It seems very reasonable as a helmet doesn't do any good without the chin strap fastened. But - where I blew it yesterday was in the exclusion for loading and unloading (for kids only). My brain went back to the adult bill rather than thinking of this exclusion for children and I showed some opposition - wasn't thinking - my bad....There is currently a helmet law for children under 18, the chin strap seems a no-brainer. We all know and have seen the dangers of loading and unloading and my guess is we don't want kids exposed to this without a helmet....The reason we have SB101 is because some parents aren't using common sense with their kids so we can't assume they will while loading. Give me your input and again, sorry for missing this one. My brain has been on leave so please forgive my error...and thanks for keeping me on task. We are so close so it could go either way. Thankfully, we will have future housekeeping and more time to really think this all through. Our goal now is to get this through and not raise any red flags. I trust Parks and Rec. and Rep. Beyer on making the right decision. The Hearing is tomorrow at 3:00 - hope it is a quick vote and on to the Ways and Means!! Thank you, Lindy
Explanation for the group - There is an amendment to SB 101 requiring that the chin straps be secured for children. This carried over from the helmet bill that failed. It seems very reasonable as a helmet doesn't do any good without the chin strap fastened. But - where I blew it yesterday was in the exclusion for loading and unloading (for kids only). My brain went back to the adult bill rather than thinking of this exclusion for children and I showed some opposition - wasn't thinking - my bad....There is currently a helmet law for children under 18, the chin strap seems a no-brainer. We all know and have seen the dangers of loading and unloading and my guess is we don't want kids exposed to this without a helmet....The reason we have SB101 is because some parents aren't using common sense with their kids so we can't assume they will while loading. Give me your input and again, sorry for missing this one. My brain has been on leave so please forgive my error...and thanks for keeping me on task. We are so close so it could go either way. Thankfully, we will have future housekeeping and more time to really think this all through. Our goal now is to get this through and not raise any red flags. I trust Parks and Rec. and Rep. Beyer on making the right decision. The Hearing is tomorrow at 3:00 - hope it is a quick vote and on to the Ways and Means!! Thank you, Lindy