Alberta government to introduce mandatory helmet law for ATVs, snowmobiles

Albertans who drive all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles may be forced by law to wear helmets by this time next year.

Transportation Minister Luke Ouellette said Monday he hopes to introduce legislation by this fall or next spring that would force all drivers to wear a helmet.

"I haven’t got a problem with a mandatory helmet law," Ouellette said.

The minister said his government recently surveyed 1,000 people to gauge public opinion about ATV use, and so far it appears people support a mandatory helmet law.

"I always tell people, you know, it’s common sense here. Any parents that let their kids out without putting helmets on need to be adjusting themselves," Ouellette said.

Edmonton surgeon Mitch Lavoie thinks it’s about time that ATV drivers wear helmets to protect themselves from serious injury or death. He has written the provincial government with his concerns and with his suggestions many times over the years.

"Well, I’ve written a letter to the past two or three ministers of health saying this is a health issue, this is a safety issue. This is trauma; this is an epidemic of trauma," Lavoie said.

Between 2003 and 2006, he said, 18,000 people were injured while riding ATVs and had to go the emergency room for care.

Lavoie said he would like to see more regulations governing the use of ATVs and snowmobiles, and more enforcement of the rules.

"I don’t think it’s reasonable that anybody should ride an ATV without a helmet – anybody. I think it’s an easy step to make that part of the law. I don’t think that children should be allowed to ride ATVs, and, in particular, the big machines that we see now," he said.

Lavoie is treating Dean Starke who broke his neck in two places last week when he was thrown from his ATV. The 39-year-old came very close to becoming a quadriplegic.

"Anything can happen – anything," said Starke from his hospital bed.

"I think people need to be educated. People need to see how easily this can happen – from someone who’s been riding all their lives. It was in the blink of an eye."