RAC urges back to school caution

01 February 2010

With Western Australian students heading back to school today, the RAC is calling on parents to lay down the law to their children over the wearing of bicycle helmets.

Almost 900 cyclists are hospitalised each year in Western Australia as a result of crashes, with children aged between six and 16 having the highest rates of hospital admission.

Health experts say wearing a helmet reduces the risk of head or brain injury by two-thirds.

RAC Head of Member Advocacy Matt Brown says too many school children are flirting with death by not wearing helmets when they ride to school.

“All too often you’ll see kids on their bikes with their helmets dangling from the handlebars,” Mr Brown said.

“Even with the slower speed zones around schools, they risk serious injury or death if they are knocked off their bikes.”

He said kids often didn’t realise that hitting their head on the road could result in serious, long term brain damage or death and encouraged the community to support the efforts of the WA Police in getting kids to wear helmets.

Mr Brown also called on motorists to pay special attention around schools and remember to reduce their speed in school zones.

“Thousands of children are attending school for the very first time. Many more will be excited by seeing their friends again after a long break,” he said

“That inexperience and excitement will mean they won’t be alert to the dangers of the road environment around schools.

“It’s also vital that parents obey parking rules when dropping their children off in the morning to help reduce the risk of an accident.”

Download the release (pdf)