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“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

Seat belts on golf carts? One reason Homo sapiens rule the earth is that we are one of history's most daring animals ... buckle up says the nanny state


How does the Cambridge Dictionary describe what a Nanny State is?  It’s a government that tries to give too much advise, or make too many laws, about how people should live their lives.



And it seems like our BC NDP government is back at it again in regards to this. According to a letter sent to Tourism Minister Lisa Beare, by MLA’s Michelle Stillwell, and Doug Clovechok. Silly season is here again.



Quoting the letter sent by the two MLA’s to Beare;

 
Will this be the new look for golf carts in BC

In October of 2018, WorkSafe BC proposed amendments to Part 16 of the worker safety ‘Mobile Equipment’ regulation, which falls under the Workers Compensation Act of BC, making rollover protection and seat belts mandatory on golf carts. 



From our perspective, the low golf cart rollover injury claim history does not support the need for roll over protection structures (ROPS), nor is there an apparent need for specific location risk assessments. Further to our position, we are not aware of any other jurisdiction that has set a precedent for this requirement.



Where does this rank in importance to British Columbia, I asked Doug, and he responded by saying?

“The forest sector is melting down around us affecting thousands of families and their futures an this NDP government wants to talk about seat belts in golf carts. In what universe does that make any sense”.



Apparently, the proposed amendments were created to ensure that all employees are protected while operating a golf cart, work cart, beverage cart, or marshal cart during their work hours. However according to Stillwell and Clovechok ... one of the serious downfalls of these proposed changes is that non-golf course workers are needlessly captured under these amendments.



It’s been quite some time since I last golfed, and used a gold cart rather than walking, but I don’t recall them as being high speed devices in need of roll cages and / or seat belts.



Smithsonian Magazine (2009) “Buckle Up Your Seatbelt and Behave” ... One reason Homo sapiens rule the earth is that we are one of history's most daring animals. So how, then, should we mark the 50th anniversary of the seat belt? By buckling up, of course.



When I suggested to the Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA that Perhaps the government should also consider general public safety and mandate roll cages to surround bicycles and the like, Doug indicated that;



“What’s next. Seniors on scooters. These guys (the BC NDP government) are beyond belief”.



Will rear-view mirrors become mandatory as well?
All joking aside however, their letter (Stillwell and Clovechok) stated that this change in legislation will ... create an economic hardship for BC courses in what is an already incredibly competitive national and international golf market.



Based upon preliminary estimates, these changes will result in a total expense to the BC Golf Industry that is estimated between $15M-$20M. This cost estimate does not include the costs of equipment such as hard hats, fire extinguishers, lights, training, supervision, and ongoing enforcement. 



They went on to say ... golfing is a way to maintain a healthy and active recreational lifestyle. The proposed changes to legislation will make the sport more expensive thus limiting access not to mention the adverse effects these changes will have on the sport of Golf itself. 



While the letter was sent to BC’s Tourism Minister Beare, according to MLA Clovechok we need to;



“Remember that the issue and proposal came from Work Safe BC but Harry Bains and his Ministry is responsible so the buck stops there”



No wonder then that he and fellow MLA Stillwell voiced their hope that the Tourism Minister would, “... agree with our position and that you will act immediately on this issue and work with your colleague Ministers to revisit and amend this change immediately”. 
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