FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:Pam Barber, Columbus Children's Hospital, (614) 722-4598Amy Nance, Columbus Children's Hospital, (614) 722-4592
Embargoed for release May 4, 2002
CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY EXPERT FROM COLUMBUS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL WARNS OF RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH HUMAN TRANSPORTERS
Segway(r) Human Transporter Has Many Practical Uses, But Has Many Potential Dangers for Children and Pedestrians
BALTIMORE, MAY 4, 2002 -- With new technology emerging to transport people, a leading consumer product safety expert at Columbus Children's Hospital urges caution and encourages lawmakers to consider the safety of pedestrians as they begin to pass legislation in some states allowing personal assistive mobility devices like the Segway(r) Human Transporter (HT) on sidewalks. A symposium on various pediatric safety issues was chaired Saturday, May 4 at the 2002 Pediatric Academic Societies' (PAS) annual meeting in Baltimore by Gary Smith, M.D., Dr.PH., director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy (CIRP), a Columbus Children's Research Institute Center of Emphasis, located on the campus of Columbus Children's Hospital. Dr. Smith, who is a member of the National Committee on Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), voiced his concerns over the use of the Segway HT on sidewalks and the lack of minimum requirements for operators of these devices.
"I am not opposed to the Segway HT, nor are my child safety colleagues," Dr. Smith said. "We believe that this innovative new product has clear advantages and can facilitate safe transportation in appropriate settings under appropriate conditions. However, we do not support exempting the Segway HT or any personal assistive mobility device from existing laws that cover similar types of motorized transport without careful consideration of the effect on safety of such a dramatic change."
Dr. Smith has been instrumental in educating the Ohio legislature regarding the Segway HT. A number of states, such as New Jersey and New Hampshire, have passed laws allowing these scooters on sidewalks. Many other states are considering passing similar legislation. Bills have also been introduced in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
"The purpose of a sidewalk is to separate pedestrians from motorized traffic," said Dr. Smith. "Allowing motorized vehicles on the sidewalk will require children to negotiate motorized traffic, which is something they are developmentally incapable of doing. Using some basic assumptions, the calculated amount of force involved in a collision between a Segway HT and a child would be significant enough to cause serious injury." Joined by other pediatric and public health groups, Dr. Smith hopes their efforts will enable the introduction of this new technology in a way that safeguards pedestrians, especially child pedestrians.
Dr. Smith has conducted research and championed safety advancements for baby walkers, lawn mowers, shopping carts and other consumer products. He has authored policy statements regarding the prevention of injuries to children for the AAP, and he is a spokesperson for the AAP on a wide array of child injury topics. Featured on many national programs, such as The Today Show, Good Morning America, and 20/20, Dr. Smith is an advocate for child safety.
The CIRP at Columbus Children's Hospital contributes to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and works at the local, national and international levels to prevent death and disability due to injury, especially among children.
Columbus Children's Hospital ranks among the top 10 in National Institutes of Health research awards and grants to freestanding children's hospitals in the country. With nearly 500,000 patient visits each year, Children's Hospital is a 110-year-old pediatric healthcare network treating newborns through age 21. In 2001, the Children's Research Institute conducted more than 105 research projects. Pediatric Clinical Trials International (PCTI), a site management organization affiliated with the hospital, also coordinated more than 50 clinical trials. In addition to having one of the largest ambulatory programs in the country, Children's offers specialty programs and services. Each year, more than 75,000 consumers receive health and wellness education and 2,000 students from 100 institutions and 500 residents receive training at Children's. More information on Children's Hospital of Columbus is available by calling (614) 722-KIDS (5437) or through the hospital's Web site at http://www.columbuschildrens.com.
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