Helmet Law

[Tuc]

I don't want to see more laws, I want to see more common sense, and when there is no common sense, I don't want my tax $$$'s paying for the ****fall.

Bang on!
Sometimes common sense isn't that common....so, they make a law to enforce it.

You see them everyday driving on the Deerfoot texting and talking on their cell phones, endangering everyone's life around them. I'm sure the 'no cell' phone law is not far away.

[K.J]

Slowly putting around on a cutline, the way I like to do, with a quad and having to wear a helmet makes as much sense to me as being forced to have a licence to put around in a boat with an electric trolling motor. Enough with these kind of laws. Sounds like something the liberals would like.

[Jimboy]

you only need a helmet if you ride like an idiot , driving normally sightseeing or hauling out meat l see no need for the nuisence thing on my head on a hot day.
If you go gung hoe thru the mud holes and do jumps over hills , ride up 60 grade hill , then wear your helmet , but even then , one day you will be going to the hospital.

[mtylerb]

Originally Posted by Arn?Narn.

I don't want to see more laws, I want to see more common sense, and when there is no common sense, I don't want my tax $$$'s paying for the ****fall.

High risk of Avalanche....ok,..let's ride in, but be careful.

Hours later. Emergency response, SAR, and every other resource is dispatched....

Hmm,..I'm gonna ride my quad accross this mountain rockslide... I won't wear a helmet though,..afterall, I'm going slow and it's sunny....

Sounds like the perfect reason to eradicate Universal Healthcare. You don't have to pay for their mistakes and they have to pay the consequences of their actions. Sounds good to me and without Universal Healthcare, they get their way by not getting stupid laws introduced to force common sense. If it doesn't cost the government money, they have no reason to introduce new laws.

As for helmets, if I'm just puttering around at a snail's pace, there's no reason for a helmet. If I'm racing around at any speed, a helmet would make sense. Leave the decision to me, though, and not the government.

you only need a helmet if you ride like an idiot

Humm Interesting way to look at it.

[blackpheasant]

Originally Posted by mtylerb

Sounds like the perfect reason to eradicate Universal Healthcare. You don't have to pay for their mistakes and they have to pay the consequences of their actions. Sounds good to me and without Universal Healthcare, they get their way by not getting stupid laws introduced to force common sense. If it doesn't cost the government money, they have no reason to introduce new laws.

As for helmets, if I'm just puttering around at a snail's pace, there's no reason for a helmet. If I'm racing around at any speed, a helmet would make sense. Leave the decision to me, though, and not the government.

Good post MT to logical for the LIBS on here to get there "head's" around though...

[solocam3]

I just shudder at the guys on the crotch rockets wearing shorts and sandals but hey, at least they have their helmets on!!!

[I-Love-Eyes]

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.

[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.

[chasingtail]

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]

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]

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...

Originally Posted by I-Love-Eyes

Gonna play devil's advocate here.

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

[I-Love-Eyes]

Originally Posted by Okotokian

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.

And there ARE laws for the ones I highlighted. But some people still CHOOSE to not wear a seatbelt, or CHOOSE to drink and then drive, or speed. And IF there is a helmet law, some people will still CHOOSE not to wear it.

[/QUOTE]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.[/QUOTE]

This should also apply to those that choose not to wear a seatbelt, or the ones that drink and drive.


All that aside, I'd rather have a helmet law, than a law that completely bans quads anywhere except private property. Just saying....

[cleson]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I find it ironic to see so many people attack the people that choose not to wear helmets because of the risk of injury,yet many of those same people think that's it's okay to smoke,and expose yourself to the risk of cancer or respiratory disease.I always wear a helmet when trail riding,but I don't wear a helmet while hunting.Then again,when I am hunting,I am travelling at a much slower rate of speed,and I don't take the chances that I would when trail riding.

Or the same people eat too many cheeze burgers and will burden our health care system with obesity issues related to health. But it's socially not as acceptable to attack the obese, who are addicted to eating for self comfort.

The last thing we need is more laws. Heck I didn't even know you needed insurance on your dirt bike until i came to alberta. BC, you buy the toy and use it. That's it. If you are a dummy and race with no helmet, I guess you are in trouble. I believe I should choose. We have way too many laws as it is, and more keep coming. Like I said... If it was genuine concern for th ewell being of people, shouldn't we put some laws in place to stop over eaters and smokers. They are a burden on the tax system... Or not. Maybe they pay more sin tax in a lifetime than they use. I don't kow.

[rugatika]

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.

[Unregistered user]

Let those who ride decide. Can't get a good cheek weld wearing a helmet, ya I know hunting from a quad is unholy. Guns would be a lot safer if we didn't ever put bullets in them and as we know lots of lieberals are shooting for that. For those who can't think for themselves, "Life is hard, wear a friggin helmet!"

[Okotokian]

Originally Posted by I-Love-Eyes

And there ARE laws for the ones I highlighted. But some people still CHOOSE to not wear a seatbelt, or CHOOSE to drink and then drive, or speed. And IF there is a helmet law, some people will still CHOOSE not to wear it.
...

All that aside, I'd rather have a helmet law, than a law that completely bans quads anywhere except private property. Just saying....

yes, my brain was on autopilot listing ways you could kill yourself and accidentally listed a couple that rightly should be illegal (speeding and drinking while boating, hunting, driving) because they put others at risk.

However, the central premise was that if you are an adult you have a right to do things if the only harm resulting would be to yourself. My list was evidence that MOST of us do things that potentially put ourselves at higher risk. While there are those nanies out there who would like to criminalize everything on that list, I'm not one of them.

In your earlier post you said "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." I agree with the first part, and don't think the government should put us in the position you cite in the second part of your statement. You advocate government making "criminals" of those who exercise their right. Brushing my teeth is good for me too. New law for that?

[mtylerb]

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.

Yup:

Originally Posted by Fourtrax

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.

[Okotokian]

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.

[I-Love-Eyes]

"You advocate government making "criminals" of those who exercise their right"

Okotokian, I don't "advocate" this at all and I don't particularly appreciate how much the government dictates to us "the people" either.

I agree that the CHOICE should be left up to the individual, whether or not to wear a helmet.

My point is simply this...if a helmet law is brought in, some people will still choose not to wear one.


I agree that the government is taking away our right to make our own decisions on how we choose to live our lives. I guess the government mentality is: "it may save a life so let's make it a law". And where do you draw the line? A helmet MAY save my head, but if the machine rolls on my chest and crushes my ribs into my heart and lungs, should we now have a law that says I have to wear full body armor too?

Never, in any of my posts, did I agree or disagree with the government putting in this law. What I did say, in a convoluted way, was that wearing a helmet just might be common sense.

[Okotokian]

[QUOTE=I-Love-Eyes;662303Never, in any of my posts, did I agree or disagree with the government putting in this law. What I did say, in a convoluted way, was that wearing a helmet just might be common sense.[/QUOTE]

Ah, OK. I clearly misuderstood. I guess I took your "Devil's advocate" post more seriously than you did. You seemed to be arguing for a law. Thanks.

[I-Love-Eyes]

Originally Posted by Okotokian

Ah, OK. I clearly misuderstood. I guess I took your "Devil's advocate" post more seriously than you did. You seemed to be arguing for a law. Thanks.

Well, what I was questioning was-- the idea that there should be a law for kids, but not adults, when adults could be just as vulnerable.

And for the record, I wear a helmet when trail riding, but not at home chasing cows. Could I flip my quad chasing cows? YES I COULD. But as most everyone agrees, IT'S MY CHOICE not to wear one while doing that.

And I will admit that if a law is brought in, I probably would still choose not to wear a helmet while chasing cows. Dang it, now I'm a lawbreaker too.

[elfman]

I read this whole post and I haven't really heard one good excuse for not wearing a helmet. All I hear is a bunch of stubborn people saying they want to have the choice or it's going to cost too much in taxes. Don't worry, the government will find another way to spend your money.

For all those guys that say "I only drive 5 kph all the time so I don't need a helmet", chances are pretty good that you are either lying or you're going faster than you realize. For those of you that are pretty sure that you are going really super slow all time then watch this -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-uKQGrTU_s .

The passenger on the back went to the hospital with head injuries. Please don't post any excuses about how he's probably inexperienced or blaa, blaa, blaa. You can't tell any of that by watching the video. I know these people and he is a very capable rider. The hill was not that steep. Three trucks and two other quads had just been up it. There just happened to be a large rock on the left side that was not visible on the way up.

Accidents can happen at any time. That's why they are called accidents.

I have personally witnessed three quad related head injuries in my lifetime and none of them were travelling at an excessive rate of speed or doing anything crazy at the time. Out of those three people, two are fine and one has permanent damage.

For all those people that feel they deserve the freedom of choice, does your family also have the choice to leave you in a special care facility because a brain injury has left you without the capacity to take care of yourself?

[mtylerb]

Originally Posted by elfman

I read this whole post and I haven't really heard one good excuse for not wearing a helmet. All I hear is a bunch of stubborn people saying they want to have the choice or it's going to cost too much in taxes. Don't worry, the government will find another way to spend your money.

For all those guys that say "I only drive 5 kph all the time so I don't need a helmet", chances are going faster than you realize. If you're pretty sure that you are going really super slow all time then watch this -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-uKQGrTU_s .

The passenger on the back went to the hospital with head injuries. I don't want to hear any excuses about how he's probably inexperienced or blaa, blaa, blaa. You can't tell any of that by watching the video. I know these people and he is a very capable rider.

Accidents can happen at any time. That's why they are called accidents.

I have personally witnessed three quad related head injuries in my lifetime and none of them were travelling at an excessive rate of speed or doing anything crazy at the time.

Perhaps because it's their choice? I've heard all the reports and I've never heard a good reason to allow people to drink alcohol. I guess we should make it law that prohibition is back?

Personal choice, if you believe you need a helmet, wear one and leave everyone else to decide if they need one. I don't drink and I'll leave you to decide if you want to drink. Not wearing a helmet won't hurt another person on the road, only yourself.

Personal choice, just because the government has no business messing with my own personal business.

[Kawibunga]

Originally Posted by mtylerb

if you believe you need a helmet, wear one and leave everyone else to decide if they need one.

The only problem I see with that line of thought is me figuring out I maybe needed a helmet just before I land on my noggin. Kinda like 364 of 365 day you likely don't need that seatbelt but you'll be wishing you knew you needed one that one day as you're flying out the window. Each to his own though. My level is risk acceptance may not be as high as the next guy.

I do agree that province wide legislation is NOT necessary. Enough govt. But it still surprises me you can burn around a place like Wiperous or McLean Creek all day without legally having to wear a helmet there. That I don't agree with.

[Okotokian]

Originally Posted by mtylerb

I've never heard a good reason to allow people to drink alcohol. .

Guess you haven't had some of the days I've had... LOL

[rugatika]

Originally Posted by elfman

I read this whole post and I haven't really heard one good excuse for not wearing a helmet. All I hear is a bunch of stubborn people saying they want to have the choice or it's going to cost too much in taxes. Don't worry, the government will find another way to spend your money.

For all those guys that say "I only drive 5 kph all the time so I don't need a helmet", chances are pretty good that you are either lying or you're going faster than you realize. For those of you that are pretty sure that you are going really super slow all time then watch this -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-uKQGrTU_s .

The passenger on the back went to the hospital with head injuries. Please don't post any excuses about how he's probably inexperienced or blaa, blaa, blaa. You can't tell any of that by watching the video. I know these people and he is a very capable rider. The hill was not that steep. Three trucks and two other quads had just been up it. There just happened to be a large rock on the left side that was not visible on the way up.

Accidents can happen at any time. That's why they are called accidents.

I have personally witnessed three quad related head injuries in my lifetime and none of them were travelling at an excessive rate of speed or doing anything crazy at the time. Out of those three people, two are fine and one has permanent damage.

For all those people that feel they deserve the freedom of choice, does your family also have the choice to leave you in a special care facility because a brain injury has left you without the capacity to take care of yourself?

Thanks for the vid. It clearly demonstrates just how tippy quads designed for one person can become climbing a steep hill with 2 people on them. If I'm ever in that situation I'll make sure I have my helmet on. I searched and searched and I couldn't find any videos of quads spontaneously flipping while being operated in a safe and responsible manner. All of the quad flips I have witnessed have ALWAYS been the result of driving too fast for the conditions OR having the quad weighted differently than what it was designed for.

So yes...if you are ripping down a trail or on difficult terrain...probably a good idea to wear a helmet. If you are an experienced quad rider and are familiar with the terrain and are not going to be travelling at a fast speed...well...you get the point.

Oh...and I have never flipped a quad in my entire life...even when I was wearing a helmet. Came close a couple times...but only when I had the helmet on.

But hey...I'm an open minded type...so if you can show me a quad flipping while being operated in a safe and responsible manner on flat terrain I'll concede the point to you that quads are subject to spontaneous flippage and helmets and body armour should be worn at all times.

[rugatika]

Originally Posted by mtylerb

I've heard all the reports and I've never heard a good reason to allow people to drink alcohol. I guess we should make it law that prohibition is back?

Whoaaa!!! That's crazy talk...let's be careful or you'll get this thread closed down with inflammatory comments like that.

[Kawibunga]

Originally Posted by rugatika

spontaneous flippage

That's a good one! I've had just that happen to me on horse a few times, a few steers and the odd dirtbike. Never a quad. But I'm sticking to my skid lid just in case

[rugatika]

Originally Posted by Kawibunga

That's a good one! I've had just that happen to me on horse a few times, a few steers and the odd dirtbike. Never a quad. But I'm sticking to my skid lid just in case

Of course we should ban horse riding...that goes without saying. Where is the gov't on this one when we really need them? 4 legged horses are inherently tippy...what we need are 6 legged horses.