Students in Sudbury learn about ATV safety

Students from Confederation Secondary School in Sudbury hit the trails Wednesday as a part of an all-terrain vehicle safety program.

Ontario Provincial Police and Greater Sudbury Police Service were on hand to lead the lesson.

The purpose of the ride was more than just getting out and having fun. Local authorities were on hand to teach the teens the ins and outs of ATV safety.

Const. Al Brunette said many people don’t know you must have a G2 licence to drive an ATV.

“That’s a common problem in the city is having, youth operat(ing) the vehicles on the road,” Brunette said.

“It’s great to see them operating it but they need to know how to do it safely and according to the law.”

CTV's Ashley Bacon was among the riders as students from Confederation Secondary School in Sudbury hit the trails Wednesday as a part of an all-terrain vehicle safety program.

Rainbow District School Board coordinator Jody Jakubo said she hopes this was the first of many lessons for students.

“They (are) building relationships with our police service and the MNRF (Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry) before they meet them on the trails,” Jakubo said.

“It’s really that positive relationship and the awareness and the safety that the students are taking away from this.”

The pilot project saw 10 students take the 50-kilometre trip. The students said they learned a lot.

“Things like following the speed limit of the trails and just not being reckless,” said Grade 11 student Brennen Mclinton.

“Driving with a cop or an MNRF officer shows you that you’re supposed to drive properly, how to drive safely and what to do on the trails and what not to do,” said Grade 12 student Aidan Hominuk.

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As a part of the program, students also had an in-class lesson with the MNRF on conservation.

“They talked about being safe on the trails, they talked about winter safety, which was really important, too,” Jakubo said.

“A lot of the students gave us feedback (and) they told us that a lot of the messaging they hadn’t heard before.”