“Take this more seriously or more people are going to die”: Message to province on ATV deaths

REGINA – Advocates are imploring the government to take action after a record number of ATV deaths in Saskatchewan this year. On the weekend, a man was killed on the Big Island Lake Cree Nation after he was thrown from his machine after hitting a berm.

It was the ninth ATV-related death in the province during 2015. The previous high was in 2013 when eight people were killed in ATV-related crashes. Last year, there were five deaths.

John Meed, the general manager of the Saskatchewan All-Terrain Vehicle Association (SATVA) said the government needs to take immediate action to fund safety programs.

“Between March and September, there has been at least one ATV-related death each month. You can hardly turn on the news without hearing of another tragic accident,” said Meed. “To the province, you’ve got to step up. Step up and take this more seriously or more people are going to die.”

READ MORE: ATV safety a priority for children: organization

SATVA said that since 2009, there have been 1,019 hospital admissions due to ATV injuries, which is placing a strain on the health system.

Along with safety training and education programs, the SATVA wants a long-term strategy laid out, which would include funding for ATV trails, an overhaul of the provincial ATV Act, and proper registration.

Meed said he would like to see rules in place similar to those for snowmobilers, where a structured training program would be required for every driver born in 1989 or later and is at least the age of 12.

READ MORE: ATV safety a priority for children: organization

SGI said it’s looking at other jurisdictions to see if training is effective in reducing deaths, but it appears the registration component falls into a grey area.

“Because ATVs are used off road they fall outside of the mandate of the auto fund, and that’s why they are currently not required,” said Kelley Brinkworth, SGI media relations manager.

Meed said either the province, SGI, or both need to step up and take responsibility.

“A lot is not being done because SGI isn’t putting a lot of priority on it, because they don’t think it’s in their mandate even though the government has said you have responsibility for these acts and the policies surrounding them,” he added.

There are some rules surrounding ATVs in the province.  It’s mandatory for all operators to wear a helmet and goggles. The driver must be 16 years of age and have a drivers license or take mandatory training if they are younger than 16.