In light of the recent newsworthy deaths of Sonny Bono and Michael Kennedy, some people have become more aware of the risks of skiing. Given the fact that skiing and snowboarding are two of the most popular winter sports in California, should more safety precautions be taken or enforced?

B. Bettencourt

Age: 48

Occupation: Facilities Manager

Resides: Monterey

Should skiers be required to use safety equipment? Anyone under 10 should have to wear a helmet, and all snowboarders. No, just kidding. Celebrities shouldn''t ski.

Are people out on the slopes aware of the potential dangers of skiing? I think they''ll be more so now, but yeah, I think they are. There are 35 people killed a year out of 50 million who ski, that''s not too bad. But if it doesn''t thrill you a little, why do it?

Any thoughts on Sonny Bono? I used to like the guy. I think he accomplished a lot after his show.

A. Premutati

Age: 16

Occupation: Student

Resides: Mid Valley

Do you think skiers should be required to wear safety equipment? No, I don''t. It can also distract from your peripheral vision.

Are you a reckless skier? No, I''m not. It''s been a while since I''ve skied, but I used to take all the precautions. The worst accident I ever had was when I ran into someone. But I wasn''t going very fast.

Sally Smith

Age: 47

Occupation: Bank Teller

Resides: Pacific Grove

Do you think skiers should be required to wear helmets? I don''t know about required. I think that if they have any brains, they will do it on their own.

Do you have fond memories of Sonny Bono? Yeah. I was 16 when he came out with "I Got You Babe" and I loved "Sonny and Cher."

Marc Doolittle

Age: 20

Occupation: Student

Resides: Seaside

Are you a skier? Snowboarder.

Are you reckless? No. I go and go straight, hop off and go mingling.

Are there a lot of reckless skiers/ snowboarders out there? Of course. They just get hot-doggin'' and they don''t think. They know they can die and still go off and be reckless anyway.

M. Jorgensen

Age: 20

Occupation: Student

Resides: Seaside

Are people aware of the great risks of skiing? No, I don''t think so. If they were, I don''t think they''d do half the stuff they do.

Have you ever been in a skiing accident? I broke my ankle once. I hit a mogul and just went flying.