Urgent Plea – Help Stop Tragic Skateboarding Deaths

March 26, 2013 - PRLog -- In 2011 and 2012 there were at least 78 skateboarding deaths.  In 2002, the AAP reported that with increasing popularity of skateboards in the US, injuries on skateboards increased from 24,000 in 1994 to 51,000 in 1999.  Right now there are two things being done to help.  First, more laws are being passed to require helmets.  One fourth of those deaths were falls, and would likely have been prevented by helmets.  Second, more skateparks are being built to provide somewhere other than roads to ride skateboards.  But skateboarders have to get to the skatepark.  And for many young people, skateboards are their only transportation.  Also, longboards, a special type of skateboard, are built for the road, not for doing tricks in a park.  So there will still be boarders on the roads.  Two thirds of the deaths occurred because someone did not see a skateboarder on the road.  A helmet can not keep a car from killing a boarder.  Something more is needed.  Boarders need to be seen.  Not one of those drivers hit the boarder on purpose.  Not one of those drivers saw the boarder on the road.  39 of those deaths occurred in the dark!  Unless the driver had been drinking or left the scene, they were not charged with any crime.  It was not the driver’s fault.  51 dead because someone did not see a skateboarder.

One concerned parent in California is trying to do something about it.  He is convinced that lights on the boards would save lives.  Lights for bicyles are readily available, but not for boards.  Convenient, easy to use lights that can be added to any board are not available.  Apparently the market isn’t big enough for any existing companies to invest in it.  That concerned parent made some board lights for his sons and their friends that are visible for over half a mile.  With enough help raising initial funds, the BOARDLIGHT could be made available to boarders everywhere.  A fund raising website called Kickstarter is being used to receive donations until April 18th.  All of the money raised, along with much of the designer’s own money, will be used to create the molds and purchase the parts needed to build the lights.  Anyone can contribute by searching for boardlight on the Kickstarter.com website.

After the deaths where helmets might have helped, parents wished they could warn other skateboarders to always wear a helmet.  When cars were involved, the drivers said they did not see the person on the board.  Someone should be pleading with boarders, “Use a light!”  Far more of these deaths could have been prevented by a light than by a helmet.  Motorcycles are required to have lights.  Cyclists use front and rear lights.  Why not skateboards?

In this age of childhood obesity, we are encouraging kids to drop their video game controllers and get outside.  Parents need to be informed that kids are being killed on skateboards, and that many of these deaths could be prevented if they would just use a light to make sure their kids are visible.

In memory of so many who have died in skateboarding accidents, a memorial list has been posted at myboardlight.com/in-memory.html.

Right now anyone can help to stop these tragic deaths by making a donation.  Contributors have an option to receive a BOARDLIGHT for their donation, and they may save the lives of many boarders by helping to make these lights available.

Make a difference.  Help make boarders more visible.  Contribute to BOARDLIGHT on Kickstarter.com by April 18th.  www.kickstarter.com/projects/406188779/removable-light-for-longboards-and-skateboards   (or short link:  kck.st/URTdrD).

To submit questions or comments, please use the contact form at myboardlight.com/contact-us.html.

Photos:
https://www.prlog.org/12106626/1
https://www.prlog.org/12106626/2