Helmet Law

Fourtrax · #1 08-22-2010, 09:55 PM

Had A Fish and Wildlife Officer threaten me with a ticket for no helmet while quadding in Calling Lake area. I know their is no provincial helmet law. Could there be municipal bylaws? Officer did not explain his threat of ticket.

BobLoblaw · #2 08-22-2010, 10:04 PM

I don't know the answer to your question.
I do have a question of my own: Why the heck were you quadding without a helmet?
Maybe there should be a helmet law to protect those who don't have enough sense to protect themselves????

maxpower2506 · #3 08-23-2010, 06:25 AM

How do we all survive with out BIG BROTHER BABYSITTING us. Been tooling around in the woods for a hell of a long time, hell back in the Big Red trike days without a single inch of it wearing a HELMET! Use the thing on top of your shoulders, instead of letting charles Darwin steer your ship through life, and all will be OK!!

pitw · #4 08-23-2010, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxpower2506

How do we all survive with out BIG BROTHER BABYSITTING us. Been tooling around in the woods for a hell of a long time, hell back in the Big Red trike days without a single inch of it wearing a HELMET! Use the thing on top of your shoulders, instead of letting charles Darwin steer your ship through life, and all will be OK!!

x a lot. Good answer.

Cal Rakach · #5 08-23-2010, 07:04 AM

There currently is no helmet law on the books for OHV/sled users.
Back a couple of years a task force was put together with Ab Offhighway Vehicle Association and Ab Snowmobile Assocaition involved to propose draft regulations for helmet use.
The draft regulations are currently sitting on the Ministers desk for sign off but has not moved for the past year.
Requirements for OHV/sled use on crown land remains as insurance and registration. Motorcycles you do require a helmet, plates and isurance as well as a headlight and tail light.
If memory serves me; there are a couple of towns that do require helmets as part of their bylaws to permit OHV/sled use with in town limits to go from your home out to the trail system...I don't remember which ones.
Cal

ram crazy · #6 08-23-2010, 07:12 AM

Common sense should tell you to wear a helmet! thats like playing Russian Roulette, its not a matter of if you get hurt but when.

Arn?Narn. · #7 08-23-2010, 07:09 AM

I'm no fan of preventing Darwins theory, but on the other hand I'm no fan of a STARS flight crew putting themsleves at risk to go fly in to get a guy when his head split, simply cause the guy wants to be cool...

Nothing we do is independant of other people anymore, .... unless you can sign a waiver.

I have seen more quad accidents come into the hospital then I care to remember...

It's a difficult topic...

If you don't want "common sense" to be legislated, how about demonstrating you have some...

wear a helmet....

sourdough doug · #8 08-23-2010, 08:41 AM

[QUOTE=Arn?Narn.;660904] but on the other hand I'm no fan of a STARS flight crew putting themsleves at risk to go fly in to get a guy when his head split, simply cause the guy wants to be cool...

Give me a break --Stars crews are no more at risk when attending a call than you or I am when travelling down any of our hiways, in fact, I would have to say it's safer for them. Their heli's are maintained to the 10's , so don't make this issue out to be something it isn't. I fly and am very aware of the requirements of a safe flight and - a safe quad trip. As a trapper as well, I spent countless hours on my quads every year, maintaining trails and working my line. I really need more legislation in this regard.. Let them and those who think this will solve the problem, legislate -COMMON SENSE- first . When they have that law in place, just think then how much money they can make writing tickets . In addition to our GST, we will also have the CST...

Cal · #9 08-23-2010, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobLoblaw

I don't know the answer to your question.
I do have a question of my own: Why the heck were you quadding without a helmet?
Maybe there should be a helmet law to protect those who don't have enough sense to protect themselves????

Sorry Bob, I dont wear a helmet when quading either. For me quading is not so much a sport as a way to enjoy some scenery or get a load of somthing or other from point A to point B and I've had less reason to wear a helmet on a quad than on a peddle bike. That being said I would never ride a dirtbike without one even though I've had far more injurys from not wearing gloves or dirtbike boots than not wearing a helmet, perhaps they should force people to wear those as well? Or else they could just let people decide for themselves whats neccessary.

airdrie-ab · #10 08-23-2010, 08:15 AM

No helmet for me on a quad either.

qballs · #11 08-23-2010, 08:17 AM

I have not worn one either. I agree that they are a good idea, but I have a problem with everything being dictated to us, one law at a time.

CNP · #12 08-23-2010, 08:56 AM

A 100% helmet law................go away. The creation of new laws is insidious....it's knee-jerk, political interference. Pretty soon the rock climbers will say sheephunters have to wear helmets. How 'bout horse riding? I, as a responsible, risk adverse, user of an atv for transport while hunting, fishing, scouting do not require or want a helmet.............I just muddle along on my quad...........go away. Emotion based argument for wearing helments don't budge me either. A law for kids wearing helmets sure..........not adults.

Walleyes · #13 08-23-2010, 09:06 AM

I have never worn one either when quading but thats do to the type of quading I do.. I do not run a big high performance machine I run a hunting machine.. And I use it as such.. I don't go racing around at top speed and doing jumps and wheelies,, its a pleasure ride.. Before we start throwing our opinion out there we have to look at what type of quading we do.. Now for some yah I would say they should be wearing helmets but unfortunately how could you regulate it according to machine.. Its about wearing the appropriate gear for the job..

Another law,, yah thats what we need in this country...

rugatika · #14 08-23-2010, 09:25 AM

I vote Common sense every time...

I used to have a quad and would wear a helmet IF I was going to be going fast or tough terrain, but if I was just out cruising down a trail or whatever...NO Helmet...I survived!!! Same as sledding...almost always wear a helmet...but for the odd time when I'm just putting along and the weather is nice...NO Helmet.

I always wear a helmet and full NOMEX when I'm driving down the highway though in my F350. Anyone that doesn't wear a helmet when they're doing 110km/hr with the potential to be crushed into by a semi or a moose...well sir...that is moronic to the nth degree...(let "n" equal infinity). I'm surprised there is no helmet law for people in vehicles on the highways and freeways. NASCAR drivers wear them, etc...

Sooooo...all you helmet lovers...do you guys all wear helmets in your vehicles? No? Ever see someone with head injuries from a vehicle accident? Hope you're all wearing neck braces as well.

Sorry...but I'll decide when I need to wear a helmet. After extensive studies and research I have determined I am several orders of magnitude more intelligent than the entire government of Canada and am much more capable of determining how I want to live my life than they are. I will gladly sign a waiver exempting myself from Canada Health Plan the second they exempt me from paying it.

jaylow? · #15 08-23-2010, 09:32 AM

and i think fly fisherman should have to wear a fencing mask. or sign a waiver????
i think signing a waiver is stupid. theres public health care. dont like it , move to the states. people need to concern themselves with their own lives. not worry about what everyone else is doing. maybe instead of a waiver , if there was some type of tax we could pay , say added into the price of the quad , or the gas and oil you put in it , or the clothes on your back while your riding it. oh wait. there already is.

we have enough fees and taxes as it is.

I-Love-Eyes · #16 08-24-2010, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehntr

A law for kids wearing helmets sure..........not adults.

Gonna play devil's advocate here.

So you protect the kids' heads, but you smash yours. Who is gonna protect and care for your kids now that you have to get crayons for Christmas every year or they have to visit you in the graveyard?

Why make a law for only a certain group of people?

That's like saying that only people who go faster than 5kms/hr should be subject to a helmet law.

Besides, an adult head is just as easily smashed as a kids head is.

Some years ago, our neighbor lady was out puttering (checking her gopher traps on the farm) when something happened to her quad. It flipped over on top of her and killed her. Cause of death>>>blunt force head trauma. She was NOT wearing a helmet, and she was NOT going very fast.

We were out trail riding a couple of years ago. My daughter had a friend along who did not have a helmet, so I lent her mine. Going slowly down a hill when the tire of my quad caught an exposed root and jerked the handle bars sideways and I tipped over--banged my head on the ground--lucky I was not hurt, but stopped on the way home and bought another helmet.

They make that equipment for a reason. How many times have you heard on the news about a quadding accident death, and the folks involved were not wearing helmets?

Everyone has the right to choose whether or not to wear protective gear, and IF there is a law in place, people will still choose not to wear a helmet.

chasingtail · #17 08-24-2010, 09:13 AM

accidents happen but in a free country we should have the right not to protect ourselves, I don't agree with seatbelts laws either, I wear them but should not be forced to. Hell even the communists and dictatorships in the rest of the world don't force the people to wear helmets.

Okotokian · #18 08-24-2010, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I-Love-Eyes

Why make a law for only a certain group of people?

That's like saying that only people who go faster than 5kms/hr should be subject to a helmet law.

Besides, an adult head is just as easily smashed as a kids head is.

True, but the difference is that children can't (legally at least) make informed decisions and give consent. Society legitimately makes certain rules for their welfare and protection (because some of their parents are just too %#*&% stupid). Kids under a certain age must attend school whether they like it or not. They are too young to understand the potential impact on their future of not doing it. We don't require adults to attend school, or work. Same thing.

Once you are an adult you can choose any number of ways to potentially kill yourself, quickly or slowly:
-smoke
-drink excessively
-become overweight
-speed in your car
-highline
-not wear your seatbelt
-drink while boating, hunting, driving
-not get regular exercise
-eat crap food
-use your cell phone too much
-rock climb
-a million other ways.

I wear helmets for ski-dooing, bicycling and skiing. I don't agree the government should order me to. I'm all for regulations that protect the general public from things they may not be aware of or be able to reasonably avoid (asbestos rules, making sure food is safe, etc.) but not if an individual can choose and the only one who would be harmed is themselves.

Now we can say that a non-helmet wearer should be responsible for all costs, and I do understand that argument, and have made it in the past... as long as anyone who is overweight, stressed, smokes, eats particularly dangerous foods, or doesn't get enough exercise also agrees to pay for all their medical costs when they have a heart attack.

CNP · #19 08-24-2010, 10:56 AM

There are all kinds of prescedent for protecting children. Children deserve protection for many reasons (they are not developed physically or intellectually). Think about:

smoking;
drinking,
driving;
voting;
employment;
this list can go on and on...

Quote:

Originally Posted by I-Love-Eyes

Gonna play devil's advocate here.

Why make a law for only a certain group of people?

rugatika · #20 08-24-2010, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I-Love-Eyes

Gonna play devil's advocate here.

So you protect the kids' heads, but you smash yours. Who is gonna protect and care for your kids now that you have to get crayons for Christmas every year or they have to visit you in the graveyard?

Besides, an adult head is just as easily smashed as a kids head is.

Some years ago, our neighbor lady was out puttering (checking her gopher traps on the farm) when something happened to her quad. It flipped over on top of her and killed her. Cause of death>>>blunt force head trauma. She was NOT wearing a helmet, and she was NOT going very fast.

.

Actually adult heads are stonger than kids heads.

Sounds like she was going toooo fast for the terrain conditions. Cause of death...driving too fast for conditions...whether she was wearing a helmet or not. The ACCIDENTS of the inexperienced should not dictate the laws that those of us experienced and able to drive to conditions should have to follow.

I'm getting kind of tired of having to follow laws that are written for people who lack common sense.

airdrie-ab · #21 08-24-2010, 09:11 AM

I notice on this web site/forum that no matter what the topic or who started it, the same people seem to take over the thread and voice their opiniions about the same thing over and over again.

Okotokian · #22 08-24-2010, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airdrie-ab

I notice on this web site/forum that no matter what the topic or who started it, the same people seem to take over the thread and voice their opiniions about the same thing over and over again.

Not sure I agree or see what you see. The discussion is still about helmet and other similar restrictive laws. Discussions often drift slightly from the original posted question. That's not uncommon or bad. Would be pretty boring and short thread if the sum total of conversation was "Nope, not illegal". Are some people hung up on anti-government rants? I suppose so... but I don't mind them if they are on subject and not rude/ignorant. It's (anti-gov) a viewpoint that is common here.

As for anyone "taking over", first of all, no one inhibited your ability to post your thoughts (or mine). At the time you posted the above comment there had been 38 posts, and the most any one individual had posted was three times (Arn Narn, that chatterbox LOL). Hardly taking over. Not sure what got you going.

Kawibunga · #23 08-23-2010, 11:57 AM

Well you can't really legislate that people have some common sense, and you can't really legislate against people being stupid in one form or another. But I will state the reason why I wear a helmet while out quadding with the wife and kids on my Kawis

First it sets a good example for my kids. I don't want them thinking "Hey, Dad doesn't wear a helmet so why should I on my quad/bike/etc"

Second is that it doesn't take much for a loaded ATV to go over backwards or on its side on slow technical trail. You can say it won't happen to me, or you can say " where the heck am I?" cause you landed on you noodle or you can say "gurgle gurgle drool gurgle" because you were unfortunate enough to suffer a serious brain injury.

Third reason would be my tax dollars. I wear a seatbelt because it saves lives and prevents more serious injuries, saving our already overloaded health care system money. Not because if I don't I'll get a ticket.

Fourth reason would be it's COOL, ever see the SNELL and DOT approved lids shaped like the WWII German helmets?? Each to their own but I just might get me one!

This all being said, I don't have a problem with what Rugatika and Walleyes said in that it is common sense and depends on the riding you do. When I'm at the farm in SK and head out in the pasture to check cows or shoot gophers or pick berries or what the heck ever, I may not wear one. But I've gotten in the habbit of it and its like a seatbelt for me. I feel naked without one.

So if you're at McLean Creek this weekend and see some guy wearing a full face dirtbiking helmet on a Red Brute Force with a 6 and 4 year old following him doing on 2 little green Kawaskis doing 2 miles an hour on a perfectly flat trail,............. that will be me

PS: as for legislating it, I'm on the fence, if Farmer Joe ( or my Dad for that matter ) in the middle of the prairies is putting across the quarter section to check his cows, honestly why does he need a helmet. But if you're out ridding in the foothills or in the designated off road areas where a trail might get hairy, that's another story.