BILL NUMBER: S3327
SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to required
protective headgear for operators of bicycles, skateboards, in-line
skates and scooters under eighteen years of age
 
PURPOSE:
To require all persons under eighteen years of age to wear protective
headgear while operating bicycles, skateboards, in-line skates, or
scooters. Current law requires that all persons under fourteen wear such
headgear.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends section 1238 of the vehicle and traffic law by chang-
ing the age up to which all passengers and operators of bicycles, skate-
boards, in-line skates, or scooters are required to wear protective
headgear from fourteen years to eighteen years.
Section 2: Sets effective date
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Data from the NYS Department of Health showed that, from 1990-1992, New
Yorkers aged 15 to 19 had more than twice as high a rate of hospitaliza-
tion due to bicycle injuries than those aged 20 to 24. The rates were
about five times higher for males than for females.
In 2004, the Safe Kids Campaign reported that bicycle riders without
helmets are 14 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than
riders wearing helmets. Head injuries are the cause of over 60 percent
of bicycle-related deaths, two-thirds of bicycle-related hospital admis-
sions, and one-third of hospital emergency room visits for bicycling
injuries. Every dollar spent on a safety helmet is estimated to save
society $30 dollars in both direct medical and other societal costs.
The National Safe Kids Campaign reported in 2002 that helmet use reduces
the risk of brain injury by up to 88%. A 2002 study published in Injury
Prevention demonstrated that state helmet laws increase helmet usage by
almost 2096. To protect the health and safety of our younger citizens, I
am introducing this legislation to increase the age requirement for
helmet usage in New York State to 18 years of age. Several counties
already require helmet usage above the age of fourteen, and the state
should follow suit.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
Senate
2019: S6655, Referred to Rules
2020: S6655, Referred to Transportation
2021: S1892, Referred to Transportation
2022: S1892, Referred to Transportation
2023: S2785A, Amend and Recommit to Transportation
2024: S2785A, Referred to Transportation
Assembly
2019: A8822, Referred to Rules
2020: A8822, Referred to Transportation
2021: A8251, Referred to Transportation
2022: A8251, Referred to Transportation
2023: A166, Referred to Transportation
2024: A166, Referred to Transportation
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a law.