N.L. minister hopes new ATV laws help reduce accidents — and he's asking riders' parents to help
New legislation for ATV drivers takes effect Oct. 15
New rules for ATV riders in Newfoundland and Labrador take effect in October, and Elvis Loveless, minister of digital government and Service N.L., says he hopes it curbs dangerous driving.
At a news conference Thursday, representatives from Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and the provincial government stressed the importance of education to road safety.
Loveless said the government is enacting new legislation requiring training for drivers of off-road vehicles, a preventive initiative to raise awareness of safe driving practices, and he pleaded with parents to help.
"Have a frank discussion with your children about the risk and responsibilities of using these powerful machines," he said.
The training, which becomes mandatory Oct. 15, is required for ATV operators under the age of 16, people registering an off-road vehicle for the first time and people who have had their licence cancelled or suspended because of an off-road offence. All will have to complete an online training course.
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Deputy Chief Colin McNeil expressed frustration over the amount of dangerous driving incidents involving ATVs.
"I've seen it in my own neighbourhood," he said. "People going down the middle of a roadway on one wheel, driving in excessive speeds. It's very dangerous."
Dr. Richard Barter, N.L. Health Services' clinical chief of emergency medicine, says emergency rooms see the consequences of ATV injuries every day, with 200 hospitalizations in the past year in the St. John's metro area resulting from off-road vehicle accidents.
Barter commonly sees head injuries, neck fractures and internal injuries that require major surgery. He says he supports the mandatory training law and says hopes to see it reduces the number of accidents.
"Most accidents are preventable in some way or another," Barter said.
McNeil says many reckless ATV drivers are under the age of 16. He says the community must collaborate in educating people on road safety.
"The risk," McNeil said, "is far more than just a ticket, a fine, a vehicle seizure… it's potentially a life."
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With files from Curtis Hicks