Posted on 01/26/2008 7:36:44 AM PST by Mr. Brightside
Michigan lawmakers push helmet requirement for skiers, snowboarders
by CLAY TAYLOR | Capital News Service Saturday
January 26, 2008, 9:34 AM
LANSING - Downhill skiers and snowboarders without head protection may find a hefty fine waiting for them at the bottom of the slope.
A new bill by Rep. Bob Constan calling for mandatory helmets comes fast on the heels of a fatal skiing accident in December.
Clare Dougherty, 13, of Canton Township died from a head injury on Shanty Creek Resort's Schuss Mountain in Bellaire. She was pronounced dead on arrival at Kalkaska Memorial Health Center on Christmas Day.
Authorities said a helmet could have prevented her death.
"We can't say for sure in any one instance what the outcome would have been, but for certain accidents there is no question it would help," said Jim Austin, the hospital's administrator. "It's just like wearing seat belts. They save lives, just not all lives."
Safety is the bill's primary concern, Constan said.
"We require that people wear helmets in other situations," Constan said. "People knowing that helmets are available is not enough."
Constan said the bill, which has support from the Dearborn and Dearborn Heights Ski Clubs, was inspired by constituents who had family members injured while skiing and snowboarding.
The bill calls for a $100 fine for those caught without helmets, but Constan said that fines would not be strictly enforced.
"I don't want to see someone with a $100 fine who's an experienced skier," Constan said, "but the time has come to encourage people to wear helmets when skiing."
Co-sponsors include Reps. Coleman Young, D-Detroit, and Aldo Vagnozzi, D-Farmington Hills.
Most of Michigan's ski resorts - including Apple Mountain Resort, Boyne Mountain and Boyne Highlands, Crystal Mountain, Nub's Nob Ski Area and Snowsnake Ski and Golf - provide helmets to rent for about $5-$10 a day.
There is industry opposition to the idea.
In a statement, Boyne Highlands and Boyne Mountain said while helmet use is encouraged, "we don't think this new legislation is the way to go. We believe that helmets are a good idea but not necessarily for all skiing and riding situations."
That sentiment was echoed by John Cleary, general manager of Snowsnake in Harrison.
"I think it should be left up to the individual," Cleary said. "We recommend it, but we believe it's a matter of personal preference."
He said most skiers at Snowsnake wear helmets, and anyone participating in freestyle events must wear one.
He said he isn't sure how often Snowsnake's skiers suffer head injuries.
"It's not a real frequent thing," he said. "It's hard to put a number on it."
A report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission notes that head injuries account for 14 percent of skiing and snowboarding accidents, as well as 56 percent of related deaths.
No other states have laws that require helmet use, according to the National Ski Areas Association, a trade organization for ski area owners and operators headquartered in Colorado.
The association says that on average 38 people died each year for the past 10 years from skiing or snowboarding accidents. An average of 42 people suffered serious injuries, which includes head injuries.
NSAA President Michael Berry said that it's most important to encourage dialogue about the responsibility of making educated decisions regarding helmet use, rather than making helmet use mandatory.
"You shouldn't put one on and think that's all you need to do," Berry said.
He recommends that skiers wear helmets, but ski as if they're not.
The bill, which would amend a 1962 law that outlines basic skiing regulations, is under review by the House Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources Committee.Authorities said a helmet could have prevented her death.
"We can't say for sure in any one instance what the outcome would have been, but for certain accidents there is no question it would help," said Jim Austin, the hospital's administrator. "It's just like wearing seat belts. They save lives, just not all lives."
Safety is the bill's primary concern, Constan said.
"We require that people wear helmets in other situations," Constan said. "People knowing that helmets are available is not enough."
Constan said the bill, which has support from the Dearborn and Dearborn Heights Ski Clubs, was inspired by constituents who had family members injured while skiing and snowboarding.
The bill calls for a $100 fine for those caught without helmets, but Constan said that fines would not be strictly enforced.
"I don't want to see someone with a $100 fine who's an experienced skier," Constan said, "but the time has come to encourage people to wear helmets when skiing."
Co-sponsors include Reps. Coleman Young, D-Detroit, and Aldo Vagnozzi, D-Farmington Hills.
Most of Michigan's ski resorts - including Apple Mountain Resort, Boyne Mountain and Boyne Highlands, Crystal Mountain, Nub's Nob Ski Area and Snowsnake Ski and Golf - provide helmets to rent for about $5-$10 a day.
There is industry opposition to the idea.
In a statement, Boyne Highlands and Boyne Mountain said while helmet use is encouraged, "we don't think this new legislation is the way to go. We believe that helmets are a good idea but not necessarily for all skiing and riding situations."
That sentiment was echoed by John Cleary, general manager of Snowsnake in Harrison.
"I think it should be left up to the individual," Cleary said. "We recommend it, but we believe it's a matter of personal preference."
He said most skiers at Snowsnake wear helmets, and anyone participating in freestyle events must wear one.
He said he isn't sure how often Snowsnake's skiers suffer head injuries.
"It's not a real frequent thing," he said. "It's hard to put a number on it."
A report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission notes that head injuries account for 14 percent of skiing and snowboarding accidents, as well as 56 percent of related deaths.
No other states have laws that require helmet use, according to the National Ski Areas Association, a trade organization for ski area owners and operators headquartered in Colorado.
The association says that on average 38 people died each year for the past 10 years from skiing or snowboarding accidents. An average of 42 people suffered serious injuries, which includes head injuries.
NSAA President Michael Berry said that it's most important to encourage dialogue about the responsibility of making educated decisions regarding helmet use, rather than making helmet use mandatory.
"You shouldn't put one on and think that's all you need to do," Berry said.
He recommends that skiers wear helmets, but ski as if they're not.
The bill, which would amend a 1962 law that outlines basic skiing regulations, is under review by the House Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources Committee.
The answer to that, obviously, is yes. In effect, anyway. See drug laws, seat belt laws, motorcycle helmet laws, mandatory insurance laws, and so on. The public will allow any such law to be passed until it gores their ox - and of course it will be too late by then.
And no, I don’t agree with any of the above, or being forced to wear a helmet to ski, snowmobile, ride dirt bikes or ATVs, rock climbing, etc and so on. A wise person would, in many cases, though.
Remember, never shower without first putting your helmet on.
We must not do anything or be anywhere that might impair our capacity to work and pay taxes so that our rulers can distribute the fruits of our labors to those who do not.
It’s a miracle that we all survived so long on this planet skiing and riding bikes without helmets. What would we do without Gubmint.
How do they plan on enforcing this? Taser any kid on a bike without a helmet?
“Can’t wait until they pass a law requiring bulletproof vests for hunting!”
FYI -
A few years back, Rep. Bart Stupak (fascist - MI ) tried to pass federal legislation banning civilians from owning bulletproof vests.
Now your guess is as good as mine why he wanted the ban. I figure that he didn’t want people protected from government thugs shooting civilians.
Stupak is that kind of guy and mostly represents Pelosi’s San Francisco district. Michigan is one messed up state.
Fascist really does explain that p-—k.
I have no doubt whatsoever that if the insurance companies and nanny state politicians had their way, we'd all be chained to our beds with an armed guard outside.
Some good news for Michigan for a change...
Thanks for the ping, grellis and thanks for the post/thread, Mr. Brightside.
Meddling Michigan lawmakers BUMP!
All the problems in this wretched state, and the Lansing legislators are worried about helmets for skiers?
Does anyone know if this stupid proposal will apply to cross country skiers?
Nope, didn’t see this coming did we?
Thanks for the ping.
Nuts! I just ran the ping on a different thread, didn’t see this one.
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