Helmet laws: Nova Scotia
Introduction and scope
The Nova Scotia helmet law came into
effect from July 1997 and was enforced from 1st September 1997. It covers cyclists of all ages.
The minimum penalty
for an offence against the law is CAD25. Parents are responsible for offences
committed by children under 16 years if aware that the child did not wear a
helmet. In addition, a peace officer may seize and detain for 30 days the
bicycle of a person not wearing a helmet.
Compliance and enforcement
The proportion of cyclists wearing
helmets was as follows [1]:
| Helmet use |
1995-96 |
1997 |
1998-99 |
| Children |
49% |
95% |
84% |
| Adolescents |
29% |
68% |
70% |
| Adults |
36% |
75% |
86% |
Effect on casualties
Injuries to cyclists based on data at the
IWK Health Centre, Halifax changed thus [1]:
|
1995-96 |
1997 |
1998-99 |
| All injuries |
416 |
222 |
443 |
| Head injuries |
15 |
3 |
7 |
Relative to cycle use (see below), the law did not change the number of head
injuries but the total number of cycling injuries doubled.
Effect on cycle use
Post-law cycle use fell by 40% to 60%, with
the largest decrease among teenagers. The rise in the number of people wearing
helmets was less than the fall in cyclists in the two years following the law
[2]
|
1995-96 |
1997 |
1998-99 |
| Average cyclists per day, Halifax |
88 |
34 |
52 |
| % child cyclists |
8.1% |
6.1% |
3.7% |
Cost benefit
No data available.
References
[1]
LeBlanc JC, Beattie TL, Culligan C. LeBlanc JC, Beattie TL, Culligan C. Effect
of legislation on the use of bicycle helmets. Canadian Medical Association
Journal, 2002;166(5): p592-5 
[2]
Chipman R. Hats
off (or not?) to helmet legislation. Canadian Medical Association
Journal, 2002;166(5): p602
