Legislation requiring bicyclists and passengers under the age of 12 to wear helmets cleared the House Friday in an overwhelming majority.
HB 52 is sponsored by Rep. Regina Huff, R-Williamsburg, who is calling it “TJ’s Law,” after a 7-year- old boy who suffered a traumatic brain injury while riding his bike nearly died.
“If he had been wearing a helmet,” she said during floor debate on the bill, “his brain would have been protected. Helmets are 84 to 89 percent effective in protecting the brain from injuries.”
Huff revealed some startling statistics:
- Three-hundred eight-four children die each year in bicycle crashes and 450,000 more are treated at emergency rooms.
- Roughly 135,000 of those are head injuries.
- In 2016, there were 54 deaths from bicycle accidents in Kentucky.
She said the bill simply raises parental awareness of traumatic brain injuries, gives children protection, and gives parents a tool to use in safety. The bill includes no fine for violations.
Rep. Brian Linder, R-Dry Ridge, says he suffered a serious injury while growing up. “My skull was cracked, so I really appreciate this bill. As someone who suffered a head injury, I was lucky to recover.”
Another supporter was Rep. Steve Riggs, D-Louisville. “There are things sometimes that are so obvious and common sense, you’re like ‘Duh!’
However, Rep. Larry Brown, R-Prestonsburg, said while he supported the intent, the bill was poorly written. “The average person reading it would think that any operator would have to wear a helmet,” he said.
The measure passed 77-5 and now heads to the Senate for consideration.
By Kentucky Today
