PICS OF DAY:

PICS OF DAY:
Models Take Over Times Square

°

Homepage / Family
Text Size

Teens Push For Helmet Law After Friend Dies

Boy Dies After Hitting Head While Riding Skateboard

UPDATED: 11:52 am EDT June 9, 2004

A group of Indiana teenagers is pushing for a mandatory helmet law for skateboarders after one of their friends died Friday.

Video

Matt Jennings, 14, died after hitting his head while riding his skateboard, television station WRTV reported.

Jennings' friends are turning their grief into action by collecting names on a petition that they plan to forward to state legislators.

"We have almost 600 signatures, and we're going to make it a law that you have to wear a helmet when you ride a skateboard. We're going to call it Matt's Law," Jennings' friend Brittney Sauer said.

Sauer also wrote a letter to Gov. Joe Kernan and President George W. Bush asking that helmet laws be passed in Jennings' memory.

State Rep. Peggy Welch of Bloomington said she plans to introduce the legislation during next year's session, the station reported.

  SURVEY
Should helmets be mandatory for skateboarders?

Carol Touloukian of the American Academy of Pediatrics is also pushing for a skateboard helmet law. Experts say that helmets are 85 percent effective in preventing serious brain injuries when worn correctly.

"Unfortunately, I think it takes a tragic event to happen before it gets people's attention about how serious this is," Touloukian said.

The incident has also prompted Jenning's friend Eric Laclar to wear a helmet.

"I didn't even have one up until this happened," Laclar said. "I went and got one Friday, the day that he died."

Sponsored Links

Links We Like

Sponsored Content
Don’t ruin your chances of landing that new job by making easy to correct mistakes on your cover letter. More

You can pick your friends, but not your family -- or your neighbors. Here's what you need to know about how to deal with yours. More

Knowing how to talk about your psoriasis with loved ones, coworkers, and your doctor can you help you cope. Get more advice here. More

$4,000 scholarships are available to real people just like you! More

Most Popular

Marketplace

  • AutoClick to Expand

  • JobsClick to Expand

    • 7 Killer Cover Letter Mistakes

      Don’t ruin your chances of landing that new job by making easy to correct mistakes on your cover letter.

    • Why Having Fun At Work Matters

      If people are having fun, they’re going to work harder, stay longer, maintain their composure in a crisis and take better care of the organization.

    • Ten Tips To Boost Your Interview IQ

      Interviewing is a learned skill, and there are no second chances to make a great first impression. So study these 10 strategies to enhance your interview IQ.

    • Learn How To Deal With Pay Cuts

      If you’re about to take a pay cut, find out how you can go about dealing with it and stay proactive about your salary.

  • WomenClick to Expand

    • Healthy Living In Your 40s

      Your guide to looking and feeling your best.

    • Manage Stress, Find Balance

      The idea of living a balanced life may seem like an oxymoron. Yet working toward balance and self-care is key to feeling in control and more joyful at home and work.

    • Weight & Exercise: The Right Mix

      Being healthy is related to how well you take care of yourself. But it’s never too late! A woman can learn new, healthy habits at any age.

  • InsuranceClick to Expand

    • Auto Insurance Quotes

      Simply enter your zip code and get great deals on your car insurance from the top companies. Click here and start saving today!

    • Health Insurance Quotes

      No matter where you live, you shouldn’t have to pay too much for health insurance. Your zip code is all you need and we’ll do the rest to find you great insurance rates.

    • Home Insurance Quotes

      Your home is your most valuable asset. So make sure you have coverage that fits your needs and doesn’t break the bank.

    • Life Insurance Quotes

      What would happen to your family if you were suddenly gone? Don’t leave their future to chance and find top quality life insurance before it’s too late.

    • Business Insurance Quotes

      Don’t take chances when it comes to insuring your business. To get the best rates from top companies in your area just enter your zip code.

  • HomesClick to Expand