The Assistant Commissioner of the RCMP in Newfoundland and Labrador is dishearted to hear of two more fatalities related to mishaps involving ATVs.

The latest tragedies occurred just days after RCMP held a news conference outlining the unusually high number of ATV-related fatalities in their jurisdiction this year.

The grim toll rose to 17 after the incidents in Monday in Forteau, Labrador and the Placentia Junction area.

That’s double the number of ATV-related fatalities the previous year—an “absolutely alarming statistic” according to Ches Parsons.

He says officers might have to intensify enforcement measures to address the growing problem.