Law without enforcement is meaningless

The news release from the provincial government sounds good. It reads in part:



“The province is taking further steps to protect Nova

Scotians from brain injury with changes to the Motor Vehicle Act

that require individuals to wear helmets at all times while

bicycling, skateboarding and in-line skating.

“ Health Promotion and Protection Minister Barry Barnet,

says the law has changed to require helmet use for all wheeled

activities, regardless of where they take place.”



Sounds good.

But we have a similar law about helmets for bicycle riders and on any given day when the cyclists are out in this town and county you can see people riding without a helmet. Sometimes all but waving at a seemingly unconcerned police officer as they pass them.

If there’s a crackdown on helmet-less bike riders, we’ve yet to hear of it.

The point being if these laws are put in place for the safety of the public what good are they if people ignore them and go about their business as if the law doesn’t apply to them?

Will someone on a skateboard without a helmet face the consequences of the law if they are skateboarding in front of the town hall in Yarmouth? Don’t bet on it.

Most likely they too will realize that you’re supposed to wear a helmet on a bike but not everyone does, so it’s okay to keep sliding around on a skateboard without one as well.

These laws, seen by some as intrusion into their private affairs, are no different than the seat belt law. That’s one safety law that seems to be enforced. Motorists everywhere have paid fines for driving without being buckled up. Safety is the mantra everyone sings when it comes to introducing things like seat belt legislation and laws saying you must wear a helmet.

The costs of treating head injuries and the health consequences to those suffering one are enormous. So well thought out legislation to help prevent such injuries should be applauded.

But for the benefits to be seen there needs to be enforcement. Without it the legislation is just words not action.

And in this age when it seems someone is always looking for a reason to head to court, we wouldn’t be surprised if someday someone’s kid gets hurt after hitting into a wall while skateboarding without a helmet and sues the authorities for not enforcing the law.