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.
Michigan lawmakers push helmet requirement for skiers, snowboarders....
the Michigan lawmakers also push for taxes on helmet for skiers, snowboarders....
“First, they came for the motorcyclists...but I wasn’t a motorcyclist....”
LOL at the idea that Michigan has big enough ski hills that anyone needs a helmet there.
I would guess that about 70% of skiers in the US already wear helmets. In europe the number is much smaller. Maybe 10%. I never wore one until I saw a skier get killed by a snowboarder near Cordoba a few years ago. The snowboarder came over a rise and hit the skier directly in the head with the board. The first year I wore it, it saved me from getting my head sliced open after a collision with another skier. One of our edges from a lose ski cut a big slice into the front of my helmet. They are also great for keeping your head much warmer and being able to stay out for a couple more runs.
Helmets are mandatory with our family, whether we are snowboarding, biking or riding dirt bikes (a helmet is just one of the many pieces of gear we wear while riding dirt bikes).
I have seen too many out of control people on the slopes to not strap on a helmet. It is better than nothing.
Nanny State Ping!!!!!!!!
That and too many people who have decided they get to decide what is and what is ot acceptable risk.
These Legislators will need a helmet after we here in Michigan get a big piss elm club and start putting knots on their heads faster than they can rub them! The State is broke and I guess this is just another revenue gathering move, using the “nanny state” to promote it! Can’t wait until they pass a law requiring bulletproof vests for hunting!
In WV they passed a helmet law for ATV riding. Surprise, the number of deaths went up this year.
This stuff is getting scary.
And of course the PTB will make up some lame excuse.
I don’t disagree with the wearing of helmets or seatbelts, I disagree with such wear being mandatory.
How about a mandatory drug test.
Getting scary???????
We ride, we decide.
all private automobile occupans must be required to wear helmets.
ALL of them.
IF you don’t want to wear a helmet, take the bus.
(nanny state sarcasm off)
I'd bet the police lobby will put a stop to that idea.
Atlanta has the largest ski club in the country that isn't in a ski area so naturally you have to fly to any ski holiday you go on. In all the years I've been skiing I've never heard Michigan mentioned one time as a place to go. I guess it's so good that the natives keep the secret to themselves, hehe.
I went to college in Grand Rapids, and the local ski “hill” is in fact artificial—built on an old garbage dump.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.