At least one municipal leader is calling the situation “out of control.” Municipalities across the province are struggling to address illegal ATV use that is causing headaches for residents and property owners.
The Town of Flower’s Cove on the Northern Peninsula recently brought forward a motion seeking legislative change to lay heavy fines against parents of children using ATVs illegally.
The issue blew up on VOCM Open Line yesterday, with residents and municipal leaders across the province indicating there is a serious problem – largely due to a lack of enforcement.
Bay Roberts Mayor Philip Wood believes the majority of ATV users are responsible, but the few who flaunt the rules are making it bad for everyone.
He’s witnessed young people himself, without helmets, speeding up the middle of the road with several people on board. Wood agrees that parents need to consider what their children are doing when they’re out on an ATV.
Torbay is another town that has seen a “significant uptick” in the number of complaints about ATVs used illegally on roadways. Mayor Craig Scott says parents need to talk to their kids.
He doesn’t like to blame it all on kids, but a lot of the complaints they receive are about young people travelling on the roads.
