With the warmer weather here, more people are heading out on the trails and York Regional Police launched an initiative on Friday to educate off-road riders about safety.
Accidents involving ATV’s and other off-road vehicles claimed 11 lives in Ontario last year, so far in 2015 there have been five. More often than not the accidents are caused by speed and alcohol.
“Usually it’s men, not to pick on them, but they’re out with their buddies of varying degree of skill and after a few beers people think they’re better riders and actually their reflexes and dexterity are worse,” says Clinton Smart, a Smart Riding Adventures Instructor.
A mock crash was held in Vaughan on Friday to underline the resources needed to handle accidents in the bush. More than 20 first responders are required for one small accident.
“We don’t want people getting hurt, so first and foremost it’s about prevention of injury. But again it’s tying up those resources that can be prevented and used elsewhere,” says York Regional Police Sgt. Karen Hodge.
Equipment and sticking to designated trails makes for a safer ride. In York Region, police and bylaw officers have been patrolling municipal parks where off-road vehicles are not allowed.
“It has to stop sooner than later, it’s a lot of young kids, they might get hurt, they don’t really know what they are doing. They see police, they take off so it can be very frustrating and it can be a danger to the public,” says York Regional Police Constable Matt McGlynn.
Enforcement officers are called to a park nearly every day. It’s not only illegal but extremely unsafe when pedestrians and cyclists have to be on the lookout for ATV’s and dirt bikes.
“We have issues where people don’t feel safe using the park system for their intended purpose because we have other people using them for other purposes,” says bylaw enforcement officer Ulysses Gibson.
If you are caught riding an off-road vehicle in a park, the fine can be a minimum of $485.
