you need a helmet.
On the bunny hills, I'm not so sure.
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.
I’ve seen people take nasty falls walking down the sidewalk. Helmets for everybody! When you leave your house, put it on. In fact, wear one all the time!
Don't forget to wear a condom!
And he is a republican.
The biggest mystery of all: how did Rep. Bob Constan grow up without any understanding whatsoever of the concept of “liberty”?
I’d like to introduce an amendment to also require helmet use while participating in a session of the Michigan State Legislature.
We had a 7th grader die last year at my son’s school due to head injury from skiing, but I haven’t heard any cry for mandatory helmets. Most people accept the risk as part of skiing.
So is Mike Huckabee, allegedly.
I would like to walk out on the lake and see if these guys are having any luck icefishing. Unfortunately I don’t have any approved ice walking armor.
It's hard to tell anymore.
My mistake. The guy is a democrat. It’s just so hard to tell anymore. Both parties come up with some anti-liberty hating laws and regulations.
You know the first time I saw the scene in the Matrix where Neo goes through the looking glass and wakes up in his "pod" I thought it was the most paranoid bit of movie making ever.
Now I wonder if the Wachowski Brothers have some secret time machine and went and scouted the future for real.
I swear the nanny-state-libs will have us all in little pods to protect us from the dangers of life before its over with.
For your socialist state of MI ping list.
In the early 80’s, my cousin skied into a tree. A helmet wouldn’t have made any difference, he died of massive chest injuries.
Let’s just call it what it is: Acceptable risk. Maybe there's too much “there must be someone we can blame! This must be someone’s fault!”
On the bunny hills, I'm not so sure.
Pretty soon we’ll all have to wear goalie outfits twenty four seven and ride short busses....
DEE DE DE!!!
Is that the bear slayer I know?
Al those arrogant pricks said, “Great. It’ll save me a nickel.” when they passed the motorcycle helmet laws.
What goes around comes around. ROTFL!
Resort operators take note: there are millions of other skiers who feel the same way. It is in your best interest to fight this buttinsky-ism with all your might.
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