Child Bike Safety: Helmets Required in Georgia
When you bring a life into this world, you want nothing more than to protect
your child from life's dangers. When your child wants to ride a bike in
front of your house, it may sound harmless. However, injuries can occur
even in your own front yard. Make sure your child rides with a helmet.
Benefits of Wearing a Bicycle Helmet
It is required that children under the age of 16 are required to wear helmets
in Georgia when they ride their bicycles. This law was put in place to
help protect children and save lives. According to the NHTSA, 178 children
died in bicycle accidents nationwide in 2000 as compared to only 74 children
aged 14 and younger killed in bicycle crashes in 2009.
These statistics show that child fatalities have decreased, which could
be contributed to the new bicycle helmet laws and safety standards. Not
only does a helmet protect your child's face and prevent facial lacerations,
but also it can prevent head injuries in the event of a fall or collision.
Helmets are in fact the single most effective way to prevent head and brain
injuries in the case of a bicycle accident in Georgia. Statistics show
that bicycle helmets can save lives. They have been known to be about
85% effective in preventing long-lasting head injuries.
What do I look for when purchasing a bicycle helmet?
Make sure your child has a bicycle helmet that complies with the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC) or the American National Standards Institute
(ANSI). There will be a CPSC or ANSI sticker or label on the helmet to
identify its compliance.
This indicates that it has been tested for protection, durability, and
impact standards. The state of Georgia acknowledges Snell-approved helmets
as well. The Snell Memorial Foundation has been recognized in the industry
for having high impact standards, and its approved helmets have an even
higher level of protection.
In Georgia, the law states that anyone who operates a bicycle under the
age of 16 is required to wear a helmet. When purchasing a bicycle helmet
for your child, make sure it fits properly on your child's head and fastens
easily and correctly. For young children under the age of five, there
should be a larger head coverage area. All helmets that you purchase should
meet or exceed impact standards set by ANSI or Snell.
Some bicycle crashes in Atlanta may involve cuts, bruises, or broken bones,
whereas other severe accidents may lead to serious head injuries and traumatic
brain injury. Children need to always wear helmets, and it is recommended
that adults wear them too. Helmets can play a substantial part in preventing
head and brain injuries in both children and adults.
If your child was hit by a negligent driver in an Atlanta car and bicycle
accident and sustained facial, head, brain, scalp, or even back and neck
injuries, then contact an experienced bicycle accident attorney.
Call Tony Kalka, an Atlanta personal injury attorney at The Kalka Law Group, at (404) 907-1594 for a free legal evaluation today.