Every autumn, when children go back to school, traffic in cities intensifies. In these circumstances, it is particularly important to think about safety. The Road Traffic Safety Directorate reminds the public that helmets are compulsory for all cyclists and their passengers up to the age of 16, Latvian Television reports on 8 September.
All cyclists and their passengers up to the age of 16 must wear a helmet. It is also compulsory for all electric scooter riders under 17.
“It is also common sense. After sixteen or seventeen years, nothing physically changes in our heads. A helmet will also protect against serious head injuries after that. As the new school year begins, it should be remembered that the volume of traffic in the city is increasing manifold.
“Not only are there more cars on the road as parents take their children to school, but young people are also walking, cycling, riding electric scooters or even mopeds to school. There is an enormous number of road users on the streets, moving in different ways. It is especially important to think about safety in these circumstances,” said Guna Zvīgule-Maļavko from the Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD).
The Children’s Clinical University Hospital (BKUS) says that doctors have noticed: awareness of safety is on the rise.
Timurs Zurmutaī, paediatric surgeon at BKUS, says: “Micromobility tools are popular. Both motorised and non-motorised. Sometimes children also use them. What have we noticed? Patients are starting to wear helmets more often. About 10% more children come to after falling from something without having injured their head. We always ask whether a helmet was worn or not. The children note that a helmet is used. This is of course, encouraging, but the statistics are still not perfect.”
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