AMA Resolutions

Resolution: X  (I-00)

Introduced by:
American College of Preventive Medicine
American Academy of Family Physicians
American Academy of Pediatrics
American College of Emergency Physicians
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
American Association of Public Health Physicians

Subject: Preventing Scooter Injuries

Whereas, Sales of light-weight, fold-up, in-line scooters are booming in the United States; and

Whereas, Several brands of these scooters are now on the market, including the Micro mini scooter (Huffy Corp), the Razor Rollerboard scooter (Sharper Image Corp), and the K2 Kickboard scooter (K2 Inc); and

Whereas, These scooters, which usually cost between $80 and $130, are used primarily by teenagers and children, who often ride them near traffic (e.g., to school); and

Whereas, These scooters can easily achieve speeds well in excess of 15 miles per hour; and

Whereas, the Huffy Corporation expects to sell 1 million to 1.5 million Micro mini scooters this year (www.freep.com/money/business/huffy6_20000906.htm); and

Whereas, The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a report on September 5, 2000, indicating that more than 9,400 scooter-related injuries requiring emergency-room visits had been reported in the first eight months of 2000, including more than 4,000 in August alone (www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml00/00178.html); and

Whereas, Nearly 90% of the scooter injuries reported to the CPSC in 2000 were to children under 15 years of age; and

Whereas, The CPSC concluded that about 5,900 (63%) of the approximately 9,400 scooter-related injuries "might have been prevented or reduced in severity by protective equipment," through helmets, knee and elbow pads, and wrist guards (29% of injuries were to the head or face; and 34% were to the knee, wrist, lower arm, or elbow); and

Whereas, The CPSC recommends that children under the age of eight should not use lightweight scooters without close supervision; and

Whereas, The manufacturers' websites show scooter riders without full protective gear, and do not include information about safe riding of scooters and the need for scooter riders to wear protective gear (www.huffybikes.com/_html/micro/micro.html; www.sharperimage.com; www.kickboard.com.hk/); and

Whereas, The AMA has strong policy on injury prevention (H-10.982) and specifically the need to wear protective gear when riding bicycles, using in-line skates, playing or refereeing hockey, and during equestrian activities (H-10.980, H-10.987, H-10.969, H-10.975, H-470.977, H-470.985, H-470.986, H-470.988, H-470.992); therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the AMA recommend the use of protective gear (certified helmets, wrist guards, elbow and knee pads) for riders of scooters, especially children and adolescents; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the AMA encourage physicians to counsel patients, and their parents when appropriate, that full protective equipment should be worn and appropriate safety measures should be taken to prevent scooter injuries (e.g., riding away from traffic, and close supervision of riders under the age of eight); and be it further

RESOLVED, That the AMA encourage the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to collect surveillance data on scooter riding, use of protective gear, and scooter injuries (to supplement data collected by the Consumer Product Safety Commission), and to support education and research on the prevention of scooter injuries; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the AMA work with other interested health organizations and public health agencies to prepare educational materials on the safe use of scooters and the prevention of scooter injuries for use with patients and the public at large; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the AMA urge companies that manufacture or sell scooters to include appropriate information about the safe use of scooters on the scooters themselves, on or inside scooter packaging, on their web sites, and at the point of sale; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the AMA encourage medical specialty societies, state and local medical societies, the AMA Alliance, and state and local Alliances, to support or participate in these efforts.