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Not so fast, say Ontario Provincial Police

NEWS RELEASE ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE ************************* The North East Region Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is reminding Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) operators to check with your municipality to ensure local by-laws have been amended to allow 2-

NEWS RELEASE

ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE

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The North East Region Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is reminding Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) operators to check with your municipality to ensure local by-laws have been amended to allow 2-up All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), Side-by-Side ORVs and Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTVs) on-road access in your respective areas.

As of July 1, 2015, the Province of Ontario implemented updates to The Highway Traffic Act Ontario Regulation 316/03 that extends on-road access for more types of off-road vehicles on Provincial Highways.

It is however, up to each individual municipality to enact by-laws for the local roadways to coincide with the Provincial amendments.

“It is the operator’s responsibility to consult the Highway Traffic Act and to contact the municipality to confirm certain off-road vehicles are permitted on area roadways,” says North East Region Traffic Inspector Mark Andrews.  “It could take some time for municipalities to review the new Provincial legislation and to figure out how it fits with their individual needs.”

Safety is always a number one concern for OPP. 

“We often stop operators who are not wearing an approved and properly fastened helmet, or who are not 16 years of age,” states Inspector Andrews. “When you don’t wear a helmet, you are at a much higher risk of serious injury or death in the event of an ORV incident.  Knowing the laws and operating your ORV in a safe manner are the first steps to making your ORV experience a positive one.” 

North East Region OPP officers will continue their enforcement and education efforts on local roadways and trails in an effort to save lives. 

For more information about what has changed, please visit: www.ontario.ca/atv.              

For more detailed information on legal requirements for ORV and ATV use, refer to the Off Road Vehicles Act (ORVA) and the Highway Traffic Act (HTA), or visit www.e-laws.gov.on.ca

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