RNC are alarmed about a marked increase in dangerous off-road bike and ATV use on roads in the northeast Avalon area – primarily operated by young people.
Police receive reports about the dangerous and unsupervised use of off-road vehicles on roads nearly every day.
The RNC called a news conference to highlight the problem this morning.
Deputy Chief Colin McNeil says police are very concerned about the impact dangerous and erratic off-road vehicle use is having on young drivers and the public at large.
“We receive reports every day, almost every day, sometimes multiple reports every day, of erratic driving of ATVs, dirtbikes on our streets. I’ve seen it in my own neighbourhood – residential neighbourhood in the east end – people going down the middle of the roadway one wheel, driving at excessive speeds, it’s very dangerous.”
Police say simply reporting the problem with no identifying information, doesn’t go far enough in addressing the underlying issue.
“People know who these operators are. Most of them are very young, 16 years of age or younger, and young adults that are committing these offences, and that are making our streets and trailways very unsafe.”
Deputy Chief McNeil says parents are responsible.
He says a person under the age of 16 must abide by the manufacturer’s recommendations, and by law is not allowed to operate an off-road vehicle unsupervised. Parents are legally responsible for their actions if something should happen or if they’re stopped by police.
As of October 15th, operator safety training will be mandatory for anyone registering an off-road vehicle for the first time, anyone under the age of 16, and anyone who is convicted of offences under the Off-Road Vehicles Act.