Complaints pertaining to All-Terrain Vehicles
The Greater Sudbury Police Service has received a number of complaints pertaining to All-Terrain Vehicles during the past few months.
The calls refer mostly to ATV’s being driven on private property without owner’s permission or on local streets, and to the damage being caused by 4-wheelers on trails designated for other purposes (i.e. snow machines, pedestrians or bicycles).
ATV owners and riders are reminded that there are no legal, designated trails in the City of Greater Sudbury for ATV’s and that ATV’s are not allowed on any road in Greater Sudbury.
The Traffic Management Unit has been receiving assistance from the public in identifying individuals who persist in operating ATV’s on local roads. Yesterday a 31 year old male was identified and charged for “Unlawfully driving an off road vehicle on a highway” in Capreol. The male received a $110.00 fine for that offence. Officers will continue to monitor the repeated offences in Capreol and surrounding communities within Greater Sudbury charging any person who persists in unlawfully operating an ATV on a roadway in Sudbury.
Everyone should familiarize themselves with the rules and regulations of ATV’s if you have not done so already. If you have any questions regarding the use of off-road vehicles you can locate the information by going to the Greater Sudbury Police Service’s website at www.police.sudbury.on.ca and looking in the menu for “Traffic”.
The following is an excerpt of the information available on the website.
Where to Ride:
- ATV’s can only be legally driven in the City of Greater Sudbury on two occasions – (1) on private property with prior consent of the property owner; (2) on crown land. There are no legal, designated trails in Greater Sudbury for ATV’s – most land outside of private property is owned by Vale INCO or Xstrata. You are not allowed to ride ATV’s on any public road or road allowance unless the municipality has passed a consenting by-law. To date, no such by-law has been passed.
- ATV’s can cross public road or road allowance at a 90 degree angle.
- Police will charge individuals who persist in Trespassing.
- Police can charge riders driving on highways and rights-of-way under the Highway Traffic Act, Section IV Reg. 316/03.
Rules of the Road:
- Children less than twelve years of age are not permitted to drive an ATV except on land occupied by the vehicle owner or under close supervision of an adult.
- Never allow a passenger on your ATV. A passenger can throw the vehicle’s balance off and cause injury.
- You must have a valid permit for your ATV and a number plate displayed on the vehicle.
- You must have insurance on your ATV because it is a motorized vehicle. You must be able to show the insurance to a police officer, if requested.
- If you lend your ATV to another person, you are liable for any damages or injuries if an accident should occur.
- Under the Highway Traffic Act, you must wear an approved safety helmet securely strapped under the chin.
- The owner or occupier of the property you are using may stop any person riding an ATV and you must identify yourself with your name and address. A police officer may also stop any person riding an ATV.
- ATV’s are not allowed on Sudbury Trail Plan trails. Anyone caught on an OFSC trail within the City of Greater Sudbury can and will be charged with Trespassing.
Working together for a safer Community!
Ride safe – ride sober
This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 at 9:43 pm and is filed under General Interest, Local News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.