McDonald police, AAA stress Helmet Smart program for kids

The village police chief stresses that a bicycle isn't a toy, it's a vehicle.
McDONALD -- The McDonald Police Department and AAA are partnering to help educate children on the importance of wearing bicycle helmets.
Helmet Smart is a program in which AAA partners with police agencies to promote helmet wearing.
McDonald officers will issue "safety citations" when they see bicyclists properly wearing a helmet. The citations can be redeemed for free products at participating Domino's Pizza restaurants and is redeemable for discount admission to Geauga Lake and Wildwater Kingdom.
AAA will also hold drawings throughout the summer for children who mail a portion of their "safety citation" to the AAA. These children will have a chance to win a new bicycle or free admission to Geauga Lake and Wildwater Kingdom.
Every year more than 500,000 children are injured in bicycle accidents, with one-third of those injuries being to the head and brain, according to AAA statistics.
In fact, using a helmet can reduce the risk of brain injury by 85 percent, McDonald Police Chief Lou Ronghi said.
"It's interesting to note that most bicycle crashes happen close to home on sidewalks, in parks, on bike paths or driveways and do not involve motor vehicles," he said. "We want to stress to children and parents alike that a bike is a vehicle -- not a toy."