Governor Gets Bill Requiring Helmets for Young, All-Terrain Vehicle Riders
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SACRAMENTO — Youthful riders of all-terrain vehicles would have to wear safety helmets under legislation approved by the Assembly on a 55-7 vote Tuesday.
The measure by Assemblywoman Doris Allen (R-Cypress), which now goes to the governor, was amended by the Senate to exclude adults and apply only to people less than 15 1/2 years old.
“I wanted it to help save adult lives too, but the Senate just wouldn’t agree that it was necessary,” Allen said.
The new law would not be enforced until Jan. 1, 1990.
According to Allen, California has one of the highest injury rates in the United States related to all-terrain vehicles, also know as ATVs. Many victims are youths who suffer serious head injuries, she said.
ATV manufacturers have said many injuries result from inadequate training.
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