It’s out with the old and in with the new when it comes to the laws around ATV and snowmobile use in the province.
The government unveiled details of its new Off-Road Vehicles Act during a news conference yesterday. It will replace the current Motorized Snow Vehicles and All-Terrain Vehicles Act.
It’s all in an effort to stem the increasing number of ATV-related injuries and deaths with a focus on training, seatbelt and helmet use.
RNC Constable James Cadigan says that last one is a no-brainer.
He says of all the things available to protect riders, helmets should be number one on the list, adding the mandatory nature of the new law will make it easier for police to spot and charge offenders.
The government says the public will be notified as individual aspects of the new legislation take effect.
Terra Nova MHA Cautions Making Helmets Mandatory on Side-by-Sides
The MHA for Terra Nova district is offering some caution about making helmet use mandatory in all side-by-side off-road vehicles.
Members of the House of Assembly yesterday debated new proposed legislation that will make helmet use mandatory for all off-road vehicles.
Lloyd Parrott told the House of Assembly that while he applauds mandatory helmet use on ATVs and snowmobiles, he expects to have further discussion on helmet use in side-by-sides in committee meetings.
(File photo.)
He started by referencing a mandatory hardhat safety rule imposed at worksites like Bull Arm and Vale Inco. He says for a while, if you entered the worksite in a vehicle whether it was a pickup, tractor trailer or a dump truck, you had to wear a hard hat.
“But it didn’t work,” said Parrott. What they found, according to the MHA, was that the hard hat removed some of the overhead space inside the cab, and if the vehicle hit a bump, it resulted in some serious neck compression injuries.
Parrott expressed some doubt about the use of helmets in certain side by side vehicles.
He says many side by sides have factory-installed roll bars, some are also governed out so that they can’t exceed 15 km/h if the three-or four point harness isn’t on, and moulded seats. He says a helmet will make it more difficult to sit properly in a moulded seat and attach your harness.
Parrott also points out that few side by sides, except the most expensive models, have air conditioning, and all the heat comes up through the centre console and it can become extremely hot.
He told the Legislature he can’t imagine driving a side by side in the summer with a helmet on.
