All-terrain Vehicle Safety (May 12, 2011)
Mr. Kang: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Every summer the use of ATVs causes too many accidents, injuries, and tragic deaths.
A recent study estimates that injuries related to riding ATVs cost the Alberta health system more than $6 million a year. To the Minister of Transportation: why hasn’t the minister, at the demand of health specialists and off-roading groups, implemented the much-needed legislation on mandatory helmets and banning drinking and driving?
Mr. Ouellette: Well, Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt the hon. member is right that at this time of the year you get a lot more people out enjoying the wonderful province that we have here and the nature that we have here, and they go out and ride their ATVs. There’s a lot more to this than just passing a law to say: you have to wear a helmet. When people are out there drinking and driving, which nobody condones, which nobody should be doing, do you think that because there’s a law that says, “Strap on a helmet,” they’re going to do it? There’s a lot more to it, and education is the answer.
The Speaker: The hon. member.
Mr. Kang: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think education is not working. To the minister again: why hasn’t the minister initiated education programs and legislation specifically designed to target ATVs’ more at-risk group; that is, 18- to 19-year-old men?
Mr. Ouellette: Well, Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of programs going on. In fact, tourism is doing a pilot project in the schools right now for students from grades 1 to 12 to make sure that we’re testing new ATV safety materials. We have more manuals coming out. We work every day trying to figure out what type of education will work. But let me tell you that a lot of ATVs are being ridden on private land, and we have no jurisdiction on that land.
The Speaker: The hon. member, please.
Mr. Kang: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the same minister again: given that this issue has been raised many times in the last years, why isn’t the minister acting to prevent these personal tragedies and this economic burden on our health care system?
Mr. Ouellette: Mr. Speaker, we are acting. We’re acting by trying to educate people. We talk about it every chance we can. I want to give this hon. member kudos for bringing it forward in this Legislature. That’s another way that people can hear that: “You know what? We’re in ATV season. Let’s be safe. Let’s make sure our children are safe, and let’s make sure that they obey the rules that are already there.”
Alberta Hansard, May 12, 2011