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But this could change. The new impaired driving legislation being introduced by the Department of Transportation in June will shed light on the issue.
 Things to keep in mind when you're buying a snowmobile helmet, according to Jason Coakwell of Kingland in Hay River: |
"The new administrative suspension right now would not apply to ATVs," said Gary Walsh, director of road licensing and safety at the transportation department.
So while the department looks at how to nab impaired ATV drivers and snowmobilers, it will also re-examine helmet legislation Walsh said.
"We're going to look at the whole issue of safety equipment," he said. "Definitely."
Currently, fines for non-compliance with the ATV Act vary across the NWT from $50 to $100.
Fines are levied by either bylaw enforcement officers or the RCMP.
A helmet bylaw for snowmobiles has been in place in Norman Wells since July 2000.
"The majority of people do comply," said Art Bungay, finance controller/secretary for the town of Norman Wells.
The RCMP enforces the municipality's bylaw.
Bungay said he is proud of his community's stance on snowmobile safety. He rides a snowmobile and wears a helmet, he said, and always notices when other people don't.
People in his community wear helmets. But he quickly pointed out that Norman Wells is one of the only small communities he knows of in the NWT to adhere to such a strict bylaw.
When asked what prompted Norman Wells to introduce a bylaw, he said: "I can't speak for the town. But personally, I know there was an accident in Fort Good Hope around that time.
"A number of people praised us for putting the bylaw in place when that happened. If that was not a significant reason for having it, it was a significant reason for keeping it."
In January 2001, Premier Stephen Kakfwi said the government would take action on helmet use if communities didn't.
"If it becomes evident that what we need is a territory-wide measure, that compels legislators to look at what we can do to increase public safety, not only the safety of the drivers and owners of snowmobiles, but pedestrians," said Kakfwi. "We have to step up to the line and account for our inaction."
Two years after that announcement, the government has not stepped in to regulate helmet use.
Communities continue to set the rules, and Premier Kakfwi isn't commenting on the issue.
When a call was put into the premier's office for comment this week, spokesperson Drew Williams said the premier had "nothing to add to it." He suggested inquiries be made to the Department of Transportation.
Blame it on ATVs
"Hunters and trappers didn't want to be restricted by wearing a helmet," explained Walsh of the transportation department. That's why there isn't strict helmet legislation in the NWT.
Blame it on the ATV Act introduced in the mid-1980s, said Walsh.
A snowmobile is currently classified as a "special ATV," and this means municipalities still call the shots on snowmobile helmet use.
Percy Kinney, the NWT's chief coroner, has been pushing for NWT-wide snowmobile helmet legislation for years. He knows about the ATV Act and says it is unsatisfactory for today's snow machine driver.
"Snow machines are largely unregulated," Kinney said last week. "That certainly causes my office some concern.
"Helmets help reduce injury, help save lives," said Kinney.
"Showing proficiency should be required," he added. "These are not the vehicles they were 20 years ago. These things are faster than my car. They've evolved. And we have not evolved legislation with them."
