Alberta Grits press for mandatory ATV helmet law

Alberta Liberals are calling for a mandatory helmet law for all-terrain vehicle users in the province.

Harry Chase, Liberal MLA for Calgary Varsity, said the Tory government should bring in legislation requiring all drivers and passengers on all-terrain vehicles to wear helmets.

Chase also wants children under the age of 16 to complete an approved safety course before being allowed to operate an ATV.

And, he is calling for a requirement that all ATVs be registered whether they're used on private or public land.

Alberta can't afford any more ATV-related deaths, Chase said.

"It's mounting. Apparently, this year alone there have been 12 ATV-associated deaths, and numerous injuries," Chase said.

"There have been two recent deaths in the last week that have been work-related deaths, and the possibility had the individual been wearing a helmet that it might have made the injuries less of a critical nature."

Chase said Alberta has to rid itself of the "Wild West" attitude toward helmets use by ATV riders.

"We cannot afford to leave safety to an individual choice. Weve legislated seatbelts. Weve legislated helmets for motorcycles, helmets for youths on bicycles. To me, this is a natural step that somehow has been left out," he said.

The province should eventually require all ATV operators to go through mandatory safety training and licensing, Chase said.

Last month, Alberta Transportation Minister Luke Ouellette said he hopes to introduce legislation by this fall or next spring that would force all ATV and snowmobile drivers to wear a helmet.

"I havent got a problem with a mandatory helmet law," Ouellette said.

The Tory government recently surveyed 1,000 people to gauge public opinion about ATV use, and Ouellette said it appears most people support a mandatory helmet law.