This summer, youth spotted wearing a helmet during summer activities could find themselves being treated to free Dairy Queen ice cream by NDSU police officers.

Helmets save lives and reduces the severity of head injuries. For that reason, AAA North Dakota partnered with the North Dakota Sheriffs Association, the ND Chiefs of Police Association, Safe Kids Fargo-Moorhead and Dairy Queen to create the Got Caught program. The NDSU Police Department is implementing the program in the campus community.

During the summer months, children across North Dakota will be rewarded with a free ice cream cone when spotted wearing a helmet while riding a bike, skateboard, scooter or wearing in-line skates. When “caught,” law enforcement officers will "cite" the child by issuing them a mock ticket. The ticket will include a coupon for a free small ice cream cone at participating Dairy Queen restaurants.

"The best way to get kids to wear helmets is by parents and other adults modeling the same behavior,” said NDSU Police Officer Chris Potter, a certified League Cycling Instructor. “Wearing a helmet can substantially reduce the severity of head trauma in a fall or crash, especially for young, developing brains."

Gene LaDoucer, spokesman for AAA North Dakota, said, “Head injuries are easily preventable through proper use of a helmet. And now wearing one can lead to a trip to DQ – not the emergency room."

For information on bicycle safety, visit AAA.com/safety.

NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.