ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — So you think wearing a helmet on an ATV isn’t a necessity because it’s not warm enough or just plain annoying? Maybe you don’t wear one on your Ski-Doo because technically it’s not illegal.
Save your excuses — no one’s accepting them.
“The technology behind helmets is now there, so those aren’t excuses,” says Rick Noseworthy, president of Avalon T’railways. “I don’t want to make light of it, but it’s not against the law to put a cape on and get up on the roof of your house and jump off to see if you can fly, but people don’t do it because it’s common sense. There’s no reason in the world why these helmets shouldn’t be worn.”
Noseworthy says he’s glad to see the local RCMP’s new enhanced all-terrain vehicle (ATV) enforcement program and a related social media campaign, but is saddened by the fact that it’s come to this.
Since Jan. 1, 15 people have died while operating ATVs or snowmobiles in areas of Newfoundland and Labrador policed by the Mounties, ranging in ages from 14 to 91 years. That’s 15 preventable deaths, police say — 15 times they shouldn’t have had to knock on a family’s door and tell them their loved one was never coming home.
ATVs and snowmobiles are a part of the lives of many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, acknolwedges RCMP Assistant Commissioner Ches Parsons, commanding officer of RCMP NL. It’s how lots of people move wood, hunt, fish and get around. It’s time, he says, that everyone had the will to use them safely.
“It should be noted that in 11 of those deaths, safety equipment such as helmets and seatbelts were not worn, and in 10 cases alcohol was suspected to be a factor,” Parsons says.
“I think it comes down to a question of will and not completely understanding the consequences of a single misfortunate accident. It can maim, take lives, leave someone very seriously injured.”
On Monday, Parsons announced details of the RCMP’s new plan to try to send the message home. Detachments and traffic services units across the province are stepping up their enforcement of ATV rules, focusing on safety equipment, speed, alcohol and under-age drivers.
Too often, police will attempt to stop an ATV driver on a road and the person will respond to the lights and siren by speeding away, creating a risk for themselves and others, said Sgt. Matt Christie, who leads the Traffic Services East unit.
“What we want to do is use covert vehicles — in other words, not your traditionally-marked police cars or even a traditional unmarked police car — and plainclothes officers to use camera surveillance to be able to gather evidence to support prosecution,” Christie says. “The theory is simple: they don’t know the police are watching, so they’re not going to take off.”
Conesquences for violating ATV and snowmobile laws start at a $100 ticket and go up from there.
It’s unusual for police to use these methods on a road safety matter, Christie says, but the situation warrants it.
“Our goal is not to ruin someone’s fun, but to prevent future deaths,” he says.
The number of fatalities increased this year from 12 in 2019 and 10 in 2018, likely due in part to increased ATV sales in light of the pandemic lockdown, Christie says.
Along with enhanced enforcement, the RCMP is rolling out a 12-week social media campaign around ATV safety. In case people aren’t bothered by warnings and the possibility of prosecution, police hope poignant images and simple messages focusing on the devastation left behind by ATV accidents will have an emotional impact.
“I think it comes down to a question of will and not completely understanding the consequences of a single misfortunate accident. It can maim, take lives, leave someone very seriously injured.” — RCMP Assistant Commissioner Ches Parsons
“We want to stimulate conversations about recreational vehicle use and the consequences of unsafe operation,” says Glenda Power, RCMP NL’s director of strategic communications.
She said she hopes people will share the images and messages from the RCMP’s Twitter and Facebook accounts.
According to the province’s Motorized Snow Vehicles and All-Terrain Vehicles Act, a person must be 16 years or older to operate an adult-size (90 cc engine) ATV. Fourteen- and 15-year-olds can operate a smaller ATV, only when supervised by an adult. No one younger than 14 is permitted to operate an ATV, and helmets are mandatory for everyone on all ATVs.
A person must be 13 or older to operate a snowmobile unsupervised, though kids younger than this can drive one with adult supervision. Helmets are not mandatory on snowmobiles or side-by-side vehicles, but, Noseworthy points out, why wouldn’t you wear one?
“There’s no really viable excuse. We have to make people realize that this is not acceptable. Fifteen deaths is too many. One is too many.”
