OPP, MNR, MTO and Thunder Bay District Crime Stoppers Join Together For Hunter / ATV Safety
[FROM EDITOR: ATV regulations within municipal boundaries vary from town to town on the Northshore, visit your local municipal office to review by-laws in your community]
THUNDER BAY, ON – Friday, November 7, 2014, officers from the Thunder Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), conservation officers from Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Ministry of Transportation (MTO) and Thunder Bay District Crime Stoppers joined together, at a local Canadian Tire outlet, to provide hunter and ATV safety information to the public.
Fall is upon us and that means that hunting season has arrived. This means that there will be many hunters travelling the back road and rural areas. It is important for hunters to ensure that hunter safety and being prepared are kept in mind when venturing out for the day.
The All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) is a very popular year-round utility and recreational vehicle that offers many hours of enjoyment for outdoor enthusiasts. However, there are certain risks associated with riding an ATV if laws aren’t respected and safety precautions are ignored.
Here are some things you need to know when operating an ATV:
ATVs are prohibited from all roadways in Ontario unless the municipality has passed a bylaw to make an exception to this rule,. ATV operators must remember that:
- Operator must drive the ATV on the far right hand side of the roadway.
- All riders must always wear an approved safety helmet.
- Drivers must hold a valid G2 or greater drivers licence (if operated on roadways where allowed)
- 20 km/h is the maximum speed an ATV can travel on roads with a posted speed limit of 50 km/h or less.
- Operator shall operate the ATV at a speed of one half of the posted limit up to a maximum speed of 50km/h.
- Impaired Operation – drinking and driving while operating an ATV is a criminal offence and carries the same penalties as operating a vehicle
- ATV’s are prohibited from travelling along or across Highway 400 series highways.
- Ownership – vehicle must be registered and proof of same must be produced at the trailside.
- ATV owner must have liability insurance and surrender proof upon request.
- Licence Plate – the vehicle must have a properly displayed off-road licence plate
- Age – must be at least 12 years of age (when operating on trails unsupervised).
- An ATV travelling along a road must have its headlights and tail lights on.
- Ride with others – never alone
Remember to always operate your ATV with an approved helmet, eye protection, boots, gloves, long pants and long-sleeved shirt or jacket. Please follow these safety tips in order to maximize the enjoyment of your ATV.
For more information on ATV’s please visit:
