Concerning incidents involving young kids on ATVs
Provincial police say they witnessed some concerning incidents involving young children on ATVs during recent ATV patrols in northeastern Ontario.
Officers were conducting proactive patrols on roads and trails in the Almaguin Highlands area July 24 and 25.
Several tickets were issued, including two incidents involving toddler passengers.
"Some of the concerns noted included an ATV with a 2.5-year-old passenger wearing only a foam bicycle helmet and a side-by-side with a two-year-old in a car seat sitting loose not occupying a seat belt position," OPP said in a news release Monday.
"Further, three ATVs were found to have unlicensed youth operators and four ATVs were towed due to not having insurance."
Rules for ATV drivers and passengers differ depending if the vehicle is being driven on or off-road.
For driving on a paved road, ATV passengers must be at least eight years old, while drivers must be at least 16 and have a valid license.
Off-road vehicle drivers must be at least 12 years old, "except on land occupied by the vehicle owner or under the close supervision of an adult."
"There are no restrictions for passengers when off-road," the Ministry of Transportation said on its website.
Wearing an approved motorcycle helmet with a chinstrap is required for all drivers and passengers regardless if the ATV is being driven on or off-road.
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
"You might think that because an ATV is not a car it means that you don’t need to have any special permit or licence. That’s not the case," personal injury lawyers Diamond & Diamond said on their website.
"There are special rules that are designated for drivers of ATVs in Ontario. Like the laws for those driving cars, the driver of the ATV is responsible for their passengers and they will be the one cited for any infraction."
The four most-common infractions that officers issued provincial offence notices for during the operation were:
- Drive with a passenger under the age of eight
- Permit unlicensed person to drive motor vehicle
- Drive a non-passenger ATV with a passenger
- Driver with a passenger not wearing helmet
Fines range from $200 to $260.
"ATV operators are encouraged to review the Off-Road Vehicles Act and the Highway Traffic Act and be aware of what is required to operate an ATV on the roadway," OPP said.
"Always drive sober, wear your helmet and operate in a safe manner."
Last year, 10 people, including four children, were killed in ATV crashes in northeastern Ontario between July and October.
- Father, son from Timmins killed in northern Ontario ATV crash
- Mother, child killed in ATV crash east of Parry Sound, 9-year-old survives
- 3rd fatal ATV crash in the northeast kills another child
- Teen dies in ATV rollover on Wahanpitae First Nation near Sudbury
Since April, five people in the north have died as a result of an ATV crash.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A passing comet could shine as bright as Venus. Here are the best viewing times
This eye-catching celestial event is around the corner and will appear in the skies this fall.
Mortgage loan rules are changing in Canada
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has announced changes to mortgage rules she says are aimed at helping more Canadians to purchase their first home.
Body recovered from B.C. lake after unclothed man leads investigators to crash site
Mounties are investigating a fatal crash north of Whistler, B.C., after an unclothed man who was found along the side of the road led police to a pickup truck submerged in a lake with one occupant still inside.
Man suspected in apparent assassination attempt on Trump charged with federal gun crimes
Ryan Wesley Routh portrayed himself online as a man who built housing for homeless people in Hawaii, tried to recruit fighters for Ukraine to defend itself against Russia, and described his support and then disdain for Donald Trump -- even urging Iran to kill him.
Jane's Addiction cancels tour in the wake of an onstage fight
The alternative rock band Jane's Addiction has scuttled its latest tour following an onstage scuffle between lead singer Perry Farrell and guitarist Dave Navarro.
'Never seen anything like this': Humpback whale catches unsuspecting seal off Vancouver Island
A Vancouver Island nature photographer says he has never seen anything like what his camera captured on a recent whale-watching excursion off Victoria.
Former military leader Haydn Edmundson found not guilty of sexual assault
Former vice-admiral Haydn Edmundson has been found not guilty of sexual assault and committing an indecent act, concluding a trial that began in February.
Fall back: When does the time change?
The signs of the upcoming autumn season are here as Canadians are starting to notice the skies getting darker earlier, and brightening later.
'Oh, he's still alive': Sask. pharmacy student caught snooping on medical records of 114 people
A fourth-year pharmacy student doing an internship at a Regina drug store was caught snooping on the medical records of 114 people who were not in their care.