Drive to improve safety of rollerbladers
A new campaign is underway in Switzerland to encourage rollerbladers to protect themselves better when they buckle up their blades. A total of 14,000 people were injured last year carrying out their leisure sport.
The Council for Accident Prevention says the number of injuries could be reduced by half if skaters were to wear protective gear consistently, such as helmets, knee and elbow pads, and special wrist protection.
With its campaign, using television spots, advertisements in the press, and leaflets, the council also recommends beginners take courses in how to improve their technique.
There are an estimated one million people in Switzerland who regularly or occasionally enjoy an outing on skates.
However, the campaign does not target users of the fashionable kickboards. A spokesman for the council said there were not yet reliable figures available on accidents involving kickboards.
He said the use of kickboards seemed less likely to lead to accidents. But the council also recommended that children in particular wear helmets.
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