SAFETY

Lower powered scooters still require safety training

A 50cc scooter is the entry level into the world of scooting. If you're a lighter person and will be sticking to 25 mph city streets, a 50cc may do the trick. You'll enjoy just tooling around your neighborhood. They aren't allowed on freeways or Interstate roads.

Getting a 50cc scooter just because you won't need a cycle endorsement on your driver's license is not a smart move, however. Still, many teens, and many adults who have had their drivers licenses revoked for some reason will choose them for transportation.

Many states waive the cycle endorsement requirement for scooters 50cc's and under. This implies, incorrectly, that 50cc scooters are safer than 125cc or higher powered scooters because they are slower, and therefore don't require training to operate. This is a dangerous fallacy, say the safety experts quoted on scooterlust.com. Most scooter collisions are not caused directly by speed but by oncoming vehicles turning in front of them at intersections.

Every rider should take the cycle safety course. Riding a scooter is more dangerous than driving a car because little mistakes can be deadly. There are no "fender benders" in the world of two wheels. The safety course will teach you how to avoid obstacles and stay as visible as possible. The course will give you other safety tips, one of which could save your life some day. Take the course weather or not it is required.

Do you own a boat, water skis, or pontoon? What do you know about water safety?

The month of May brings thoughts of the favorite pastime of an increasing number of Americans: boating. It begins in earnest when the water has finally warmed to less than toe freezing temperatures. But the sport also brings concerns about boating safety.

National Safe Boating Week, May 18-May 24, has been jointly sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Safe Boating Council (SBC) and boating organizations ever since Congress passed a resolution about safe boating practices in 1958. SBC has a membership of over 330 U.S. and Canadian organizations that share an interest in safe boating and education.

• In 2011, the Coast Guard counted 4,588 accidents that involved 758 deaths, 3,081 injuries and approximately $52 million dollars of damage to property. Tragically, 84 percent of those drowned were not wearing life jackets, and eight of every 10 of these boaters were passengers in vessels less than 21 feet in length.
  
  
  
• SBC's theme is "Using your boat? Grab a life jacket and wear it!"
  
  
  
• A life jacket is required for everyone of any age who rides in your boat regardless of swimming expertise. No one can swim when knocked out. Spend some time checking each jacket in storage for its wear and buoyancy.
  
  
  
• The Council's report say accidents involved open motorboats, personal watercraft, and cabin motorboats. Most were due to the operator's inattention, improper lookout, inexperience, excessive speed, and machinery failure.
  
  
  
• Alcohol use was the leading factor in the majority of the accidents and in 16% of the deaths.
  
  
  
• Common injuries include broken bones, serious lacerations, amputation, spinal cord injury and drowning.
  

Care enough about yourself and every family member or friend who may want to enjoy your summertime hobby with you. Take a free boating safety class.

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