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23rd
March
2004
When RC QC MP met DC
Here's our MP Ross Cranston at the front of the grid in terms of road safety. He is supporting the Protective Headgear for Young Cyclists Bill which would require young cyclists to wear protective helmets. This Private Members Bill - promoted by the Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust - was launched at the House of Commons with the help of Formula One racing driver David Coulthard (Patron of the BHIT). Ross said: ‘The annual average of cyclist road deaths between 2000 and 2002 is 133 and child cyclists are three times more likely to die on Britain’s roads than adult cyclists. This is why I am keen to support this Bill. ‘Child cyclists make up 6.6% of road cyclists yet account for a disproportionate number of accident deaths (according to the Transport Research Laboratory). Many of these deaths could have been prevented if the children had been wearing helmets. The brain is a very delicate organ that controls other parts of the body which can easily get damaged and therefore needs to be protected for high risk activities such as cycling. ‘I have had my own personal lesson in wearing a helmet when I cycle. When I had my cycling accident a couple of years ago, I was not wearing a helmet. On that occasion, I suffered damage to my teeth. I realise I was enormously lucky that I did not harm my head. But it shocked me into realising the importance of wearing a helmet. ‘It is important that we reduce the number of these unnecessary deaths of children. The young are particularly vulnerable to accidents because of their lack of experience and understanding of the dangers, and, of course, cycling is a playful activity. This Bill would make it compulsory for under-16s to wear helmets when cycling on roads and in public places. I wish my colleague, Eric Martlew MP, every success in getting this Bill through onto the statute book, and I will do all I can to ensure this happens.’ newsdesk@yampy.co.uk. --> |
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