Helmet laws have been established over the years for skateboarding, bicycle riding and rock climbing. On Monday (April 25), the California State Senate took measures to put one more helmet law on the books – for skiing and snowboarding.
The Senate passed a bill that will require all skiers and snowboarders under age 18 to wear helmets. The bill passed Monday over some strong objections from several Republicans who said it would be a costly law to enforce.
The bill was approved in the Senate by a 32-6 vote and now heads to the State Assembly.
Sen. Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) authored the bill, which will require resort operators to posts signs about the helmet requirements. If the bill passes the Assembly the fine for not wearing a helmet will be $25.
Even with no legislative action, the use of helmets has gained in popularity over the past decade. A survey by the National Ski Areas Association during the 2007-08 season found that 48 percent of all skiers and snowboarders wore helmets.
In 2005, the British Medical Journal reported that wearing a helmet could reduce the risk of head injuries among snowboarders and skiers by 29 percent.
Heavenly ski resort in Lake Tahoe required all its employees to wear helmets this year. Vail Resorts, which operates Heavenly and several ski areas in Colorado, requires all of its employees to wear helmets while skiing or snowboarding.
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