Nova Scotia RCMP are urging off-roaders to put on their helmets — and to forget about getting on the trials after drinking alcohol.
Police say sticking with the basics will keep off-roading a relaxing and enjoyable pastime that continues to grow in popularity, especially in the summer months.
“Everybody operating an ATV needs to have a helmet on, for obvious reasons of personal well being and safety,” said Cst. Craig Foley, RCMP. “If you are involved in a crash, a helmet is going to exponentially increase your chances of walking away from that crash”
Police say anyone operating an ATV must be properly trained and be of age.
Impaired driving big concern
Despite awareness, the No. 1 thing RCMP continue to see is people getting on their ATVs while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
“The same laws and regulations that apply to regular roadways and highways for criminal code offences also apply to off-road motor vehicles,” said Foley.
“A lot of times, off-road vehicle use like four wheelers can be tied in social functions: barbecues, trail runs, family gatherings. Of course with those other activities in the summertime, you have barbecue events or family gatherings where people are consuming alcohol and they might miss that connection,” he said.
“They might forget the fact and have to consider the fact that they are still operating a motorized vehicle.”
Steady number of accidents
There continues to be a steady number of collisions annually in the Maritimes.
From June 2015 to June 2016, there were 113 off-road collisions in Nova Scotia, four of which resulted in fatalities.
In New Brunswick, RCMP say there were 126 collisions in 2015 involving off-road vehicles, 11 of which were fatal.
READ MORE: Annapolis County man dies in ATV collision
Experienced ATV riders say they see three recurring problems among riders.
“The biggest ones that have been coming up are inexperience, knowing your limitations and knowing your vehicle’s limitations. People sometimes get carried away,” said Steve Foley, president, Lake Charlotte ATV Association.
RCMP say they’ll be out patrolling various ATV trails this summer, looking to keep all riders safe.
“We’d be looking for the regular documents, such as registration, making sure the license plate is up to date, insurance where required. As well as making sure people are aware of and taking the proper ATV-training courses,” said Craig Foley.
Petition Circulating
Meanwhile, there is a petition circulating to try to get the Nova Scotia government to amend a piece of legislation that affects ATV users.
Currently, ATVs are not allowed on the road anywhere in the province. Foley says he believes riders would be more responsible if they were able to travel on secondary roads to get to and from trails.
“What’s going on a lot of the time now is when people are on the roads going from trail to trail or from their house to the trail or something like that, they’ll go right fast, as fast as they can.”
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