Under new county legislation, Westbury children who enjoy riding those increasingly popular scooters and skateboards will have to follow safety protocol similar to that for bicycles.

Local legislators Roger Corbin (D-Westbury), Richard J. Nicolello (R-New Hyde Park), Norma Gonsalves (R-East Meadow), and Dennis Dunne (R-Levittown) recently joined in unanimously passing legislation that would mandate children under the age of 14 to have to wear a safety helmet when using scooters and skateboards.

The action is designed to protect children who use foot powered vehicles from serious head injuries.

The new county legislation states that no one under the age of 14 shall use a "foot powered scooter or skateboard, or ride as a passenger on a foot-powered scooter" without wearing a helmet. According to Corbin, the parents or guardian of anyone found in violation of the proscribed law would be subject to a $50 fine. He noted that the fine would be waived for first-time offenders if they could show proof that they have obtained a helmet since being cited for the violation. Additionally, the fine would be waived if it was found that, for reasons of economic hardship, a helmet could not be purchased.

A qualified safety helmet should meet the standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or the Snell Memorial Foundation's 1984 Standard for Protective Headgear for Use in Bicycling. The law will take effect 30 days after the county executive has signed it into law.

"With the successful passage of this legislation, we have an opportunity to encourage the responsible use of scooters and skateboards in our communities," said Corbin in a joint statement by the Democratic Majority. "This law is not about punishing its violators. It will contribute to the creation of a greater awareness and acceptance of using protective gear when using these devices."

A joint statement from the Republican Minority Delegation further commented, "Medical experts agree that wearing a safety helmet will not only prevent serious head injury, but can prevent fatal injury as well," adding that the legislators are "pleased to be able to support this legislation which will save lives," and "urge all adults to set a good example for their children and wear a safety helmet while engaging in these activities."

-Andrea Morale