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Inline Skating Safety
Inline skating is increasingly being used for
recreation and transportation. According to the International Inline Skating
Association, the number of inline skaters has
increased by 300 percent since 1992. There were an estimated 28.9 million
skaters in 1996. Inline skating has become more than just a recreational
activity. While most of the skaters surveyed in 1996 reported that the
activity was a means of exercise, 35 percent also reported that they used
skating as a mode of transportation. 22 percent of all inline skating
crashes occur on streets.
About one out of every 25 in-line skaters is injured
seriously enough to warrant a hospital visit each year. The Consumer
Product Safety Commission estimated that 102,911 injuries resulted from
inline skating crashes in 1996. Wrist and lower arm injuries are the most
common, followed by face and chin injuries, with fractures representing
40.8 percent of the total injuries. Staff researcher Christopher Johnson
commented, "I have witnessed the problem myself - a friend trying out
inline skates for the first time crashed and broke her jaw, an injury that
necessitated plastic surgery, orthodontic work, braces, and several years
of medical treatment."
Importantly, however, the problem is not limited to
novice skaters. In 1995, for example, 37 percent of inline skating
injuries involved intermediate-level skaters. Common factors relating to
falls include hazardous road conditions, poor visibility, and fatigue.
Forty-six percent of the injuries are being sustained
by skaters wearing no safety gear. Also, inline skaters do not appear to
have adequate braking skills and do not skate within their abilities.
Skating out of control was cited as a contributing factor in 67 percent of
the crashes, while striking a stationary object was cited in 40 percent of
the crashes (implying that the skater was unable to stop in time).
Although 11 percent of inline skating crashes involve
a moving object, that object is usually another skater. Only 1 percent of
injuries sustained by inline skaters involve a moving vehicle, so traffic
conflicts do not appear to be a major issue. Despite the low incidence of
vehicle conflicts, the classification of inline skaters in the traffic mix
has been the source of much controversy. Inline skaters are similar to
bicyclists in that they travel at relatively high speeds. The potential
for conflict at intersections is probably greater, just as it is with
bicyclists, if they are traveling against traffic. According to the
International
Inline Skating Association, "...a law
requiring travel against traffic would solve only a small percentage of
accidents while exposing bicyclists and skaters to more frequent serious
risks. The IISA is adamantly opposed to any law that requires skaters to
travel against traffic. Skaters are safer when they are treated like motor
vehicles." Subsequently, in many states inline skaters are categorized as
"toy vehicles" and are not technically permitted on streets at all.
Following are some safety tips from the International Inline Skating
Association that might help you or someone you
know avoid an inline skating injury:
- Always wear full protective gear -- helmet wrist
guards, knee and elbow pads.
- Practice basic skills, like balance and braking on
a smooth, flat surface away from traffic.
- Avoid hills until you are ready and always skate
under control. Remember that you will gain speed quickly, even on a
small hill or gradual decline.
- Take a lesson or review an instructional video
before you take to the streets or trails.
Visit the
>International Inline Skating Association
> for more tips and detailed information on skating basics,
braking, and controlling your speed.
Report compiled by Christopher D.
Johnson
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