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Know Motorcycle Helmet Law of Alberta Before Your First Ride

Know Motorcycle Helmet Law Alberta
Know Motorcycle Helmet Law of Alberta Before Your First Ride

Motorcycle accidents have the highest injury and death rates compared to other accidents. According to the Alberta Motorcycle Safety Society, there were 19 deaths due to motorcycle accidents in 2021. And one of the leading reasons is riders and passengers are not wearing their helmets properly.

That’s why, by taking the severity of its consequences into account, the Canadian Government passed a new stricter law in the year 2017, stating both the driver and passenger of a motorbike must wear a helmet every time they step on the road.

The following article will discuss the motorcycle helmet law in Alberta and other relevant topics. So keep reading till the end if you are a motorcycle driver in Alberta.

Motorcycle Helmet Law Alberta

As per the Canadian Government, all drivers and passengers must wear an authorized helmet whenever they step on the road. Otherwise, they will face various charges and punishments set by the state’s rulings.

However, Alberta does have a few exceptions. They are:

  • Riding in one’s vehicle
  • Utilizing another person’s property for transportation or riding in with their permission.
  • Metis settlements
  • Sikhs wearing turbans
  • Having Alberta transportation permission

Penalty for Riding Motorcycle without Helmet in Alberta

The consequences of being caught without a helmet are quite a troublesome matter. The base penalty is $155 for both riders and passengers for riding motorcycle without helmet in Alberta. While the fine is $93 in case the helmet is not CSA-approved.

Few Injuries Record of Riding Motorcycle Without Helmet in Alberta

  • About nineteen individuals died in motorcycle accidents as of 2021.
  • 185 persons have lost their valuable lives while using ATVs without helmets in the last ten years.
  • Head traumas from accidents with no helmets killed almost 40% of the victims.
  • The number of children injuries in 2015 was at its maximum, the rate coming very close to 1,000.

Why Do You Need to Wear a Helmet?

People frequently suffer the most damage and hit to their head, chin, and face in an accident. Also, brain injuries from these accidents often come with severe pain; they are not even curable. Problems including trouble focusing, memory loss, personality changes, and many others may result from these injuries.

Eventually, the chronic symptoms would ultimately harm your relationships, work, and quality of life. Hence, purchasing a high-quality helmet is of utmost importance as it ensures safety.

On top of that, people wearing the right helmets always have a higher chance of surviving than those who haven’t. Therefore, if you don’t already have one, you should get it immediately,

Note: As a motorcyclist, you should keep a note of your helmets and do the replacement on time. Using a broken or damaged helmet is almost equivalent to using none.

3 kinds of Helmets Motorcyclists Can Wear

Bright colours are frequently used for helmets because they tend to reflect light and are more noticeable. There are typically three kinds of helmets. This includes the following:

1. Full Coverage

This option is the most recommendable, as everything from the chin to the entire face gets covered. Also, the front glass shields the driver from distraction-causing weather and objects while driving.

2. ¾ coverage

Due to its open face, the helmet only provides coverage for the back and face, not the chin area. In addition, you need to wear an extra glass for eye protection in this type of helmet. Therefore, it is not as helpful as a full-coverage helmet.

3. ½ coverage

This kind of helmet is helpful only in protecting and covering the head. Hence, these helmets offer almost negligible coverage for the back and face compared to the first two types. And obviously, you need an extra layer of protection for your eyes.

N.B: Sikhs who wear turbans can be excluded from these types and considered exceptions.

Different State Comes with Different CSA-compliant Helmets Standards

In Alberta, all drivers and passengers must wear helmets that fulfill all the standard criteria. Otherwise, they will have to face the authority and pay several penalties for not abiding by the rules and regulations of the state.

There are usually 5 standards for motorcyclists based on which they can select per their needs.

These standards are the following:

  • CSA (Canadian Standard Association)
  • DOT (Department of Transportation)
  • BSI (British Standards Institution)
  • Snell Memorial Foundation
  • UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission For Europe)

When are Helmets Mandatory to Wear for Motorcyclists?

All kinds of drivers and riders are required to wear helmets while driving on the roads. However, according to traffic rules and regulations, the motorized vehicle law also applies to cross-country travel. Some vehicles include OHVs, two-wheelers, ATVs, toy cars, and vehicles used in heavy snowy conditions.

Any motorized vehicle meant for off-road travel is known as an off-highway vehicle (OHV). For instance:

  • Motobikes, mini-bicycles, dirt bikes, and varied other kinds of vehicles coming with two wheels
  • UTVs (Utility terrain vehicles)
  • ATVs (All-terrain vehicles)
  • Miniature automobiles
  • Aquatic vehicles
  • Snow vehicles, such as snowmobiles and snow motorcycles.

What are the Compensations You Can Get from a Motorcycle Accident Claim?

Everyone must put their health first above everything. Therefore, even if the patient feels fine, they should still undergo a checkup. Otherwise, the once-invisible injuries may turn bad or severe after a while. You can speak with your lawyer later on.

These accident claims are useful, and sometimes these injuries might prove profitable. But for that, you must hire an experienced lawyer. They can act as the true savior at this moment, right from the start to the end of the case.

Usually, these accident claims enable you to receive free medical care.

The following are some compensations for motorbike accidents:

  • Salary: Victims are reimbursed for the effects that their injuries would have.
  • Treatment: Victims are compensated for all kinds of accident-related medical expenses
  • Earning capacity: Victims receive compensation because they would be unable to return to their previous jobs.
  • Mental health: Victims are given financial support for any hardship they would have endured but for the accident.
  • Disability: Victims are compensated for all the expenses they would incur if they were disabled.
  • Rehabilitation: Victims receive payment in exchange for aiding them in returning to their normal routine lives.
  • Potential: Victims are compensated for not being able to return to their former level of employment.
  • Prescriptions: Victims are reimbursed for any medications they use due to the incident.

Read more: What is the Primary Cause of Motorcycle Accidents?

Final Words

Life is unpredictable, and you may never know what can happen the next moment. That’s why it is better to stay always protected and take all sorts of preventive measures. The rest depends on destiny. Hence, you must always wear a helmet to stay safe and protected under the motorcycle helmet law Alberta.

Make sure to take legal support for any confusion related to motorbike accidents. They will ensure you get the rightful compensation and justice, from reducing stress to giving a tough fight in court.

FAQs

Check out the below most commonly asked queries relevant to motorcycle helmet law in Alberta:

Can you get fined for not wearing a helmet Alberta?

Yes, $150 will be fined if you are caught not wearing helmet while riding.

Who is not required to wear a helmet?

Sikhs wearing turbans, both men and women, are excused from wearing protective headgear under Section 129 of the Central Motor Vehicles Act.

Is it against the law in Canada to ride a motorcycle without a helmet?

Anyone driving or riding a motorcycle in Canada must wear a motorcycle helmet that complies with recognized safety standards.