Relates to prohibiting the operation of a scooter by a person less than eight years of age without the supervision of a parent or guardian

1 Co-sponsor

• Ruben Diaz

Title of bill

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to the operation of scooters

Purpose or general idea of bill

To prohibit persons ages eight and under from operating scooters unless supervised by a parent or guardian and unless such person is wearing a helmet.

Summary of specific provisions

Amends subdivision 5-b of section 1238 of the vehicle and traffic law to prohibit a person age eight or under from operating a scooter unless such person is supervised by a parent of guardian and unless such person is wearing a helmet. Also provides that persons between the ages of eight and fourteen must wear helmets when operating scooters.

Justification

According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, there were over 40,000 emergency-treated, scooter-related injuries in the year 2000. About 85% of these injuries happened to children under the age of fifteen. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics "The use of non-motorized scooters by children may result in serious injury, particularly in the young child. Although not life-threatening, these injuries require significant medical intervention and may result in permanent functional and cosmetic deformity. These injuries are potentially preventable with the proper use of protective gear and supervision." This bill would help to protect children from injury and make New York a safer place for children to play.

Prior legislative history

S.3560 S.2091 1/31/07 REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION 1/09/08 REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION

Fiscal implications for state and local government

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the first day of July next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.