Riding With A Whole New Respect Promoting ATV Safety Within Your Community Presented by: Jeff Griffith Regional Planner Road Safety Marketing Office Ontario

Riding With A Whole New Respect

Promoting ATV Safety Within Your Community

Presented by: Jeff Griffith

Regional Planner

Road Safety Marketing Office

Ontario Ministry of Transportation

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, 2007

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Learning Objectives

Provide a greater understanding of basic ATV legislation for on-road and off-road use in Ontario.

Educate injury prevention practitioners of the injury risks associated with ATV riding.

Learn about the jury recommendations from an ATV inquest held in August 2005.

Gain insight into a successful regional ATV safety public education initiative.


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Legislation

In Ontario, there are two pieces of provincial legislation which govern ATV use:

Off Road Vehicles Act applies to ATVs while being operated off-road.

Highway Traffic Act applies to ATVs while being operated on provincial highways.

Municipalities may pass bylaws to permit ATV use on its roads provided certain criteria are met.


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Legislation

Off Road Vehicles Act Operator must be at least 12 years of age; or Be under the direct supervision of an adult; or Operating an ATV on land occupied by the

owner. ATV must be registered. ATV must be insured unless operated on land

occupied by the owner. An approved motorcycle helmet must be worn

by driver and passenger except when operated on land occupied by the owner.


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Legislation

Highway Traffic Act To travel on some provincial highways, an ATV

must:– have four wheels all of which contact the ground– have a seat that is designed to be straddled by the

driver– have steering handle bars– be designed for the driver only; no passenger

The ATV must also meet the requirements of the federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act and American National Standards Institute standard.


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Legislation

Permitted on Some Roads in Ontario

Only 4-wheel ATVs

are allowed access

to defined highways

(municipal/provincial)


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LegislationProhibited on All Roads in Ontario


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Legislation

Highway Traffic Act Operator must be at least 16 years of

age and hold a valid G2/M2 driver’s licence or greater.

Operator must wear an approved motorcycle helmet.

ATV must travel on the shoulder of the road in the same direction as traffic.


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Legislation

Highway Traffic Act ATV must be registered and insured. Speed limit is lower than posted limits:

– maximum 20 km/hr on roads where the speed limit is 50 km/hr or less

– maximum of 50 km/hr on roads where the speed limit is more than 50 km/hr

Towing of trailers is permitted provided HTA requirements are met.


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Legislation

Highway Traffic Act ATVs cannot operate in:

– medians between opposing lanes of traffic– construction zones– provincial parks unless permission is granted

Municipalities may pass bylaws:– to determine where and when ATVs may travel on

municipal roads– speeds at which ATVs can travel provided it does

not exceed speed limits of the Highway Traffic Act


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Growth of ATV Industry in Ontario

Canada is the second largest market for ATV sales, and the largest per capita market for ATVs in the world.

+89,000 new ATVs sold in Canada in 2006 (18,300 in Ontario).

In the last three years, more than 262,000 ATVs have been purchased in Canada.

• Statistics sourced from Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council


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Growth of ATV Industry in Ontario

There are approximately 850,000 ATVs currently in use in Canada.

It is estimated that more than 2.5 million Canadians ride an ATV each year.

In 1997, snowmobiles outsold ATVs by more than two to one.

Since 2004, this trend has reversed.• Statistics sourced from Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle

Distributors Council


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Who’s Dying on ATVs in Ontario…and Why?

2006 Total 14 Males 11 (78%) Females 3 (22%) < 18 years 5 (36%) Struck object 8 (57%) Excessive speed 7 (47%) Lost control 6 (40%) Alcohol 3 (20%)

• Statistics from municipal and provincial police agencies


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Who’s Dying on ATVs in Ontario…and Why?

2007 to date Total 22 (63% increase) Males 20 (91%) Females 2 (9%) < 18 years 2 (8%) Alcohol 10 (45%) Lost control 10 (45%) Struck object 9 (41%) Excessive speed 4 (18%)

• Statistics from municipal and provincial police agencies


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ATV Injuries in Ontario

Canadian Institute for Health Information

Hospitalizations for ATV injuries in Canada have increased by 66% in the last ten years.

Teens and adults are at highest risk. Ontario and BC have lowest injury

rates.


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Highlights of CIHI Report: Most ATV hospitalizations in 2004-2005

were for multiple injuries. Average age of person hospitalized was

32 years old. Largest proportion of injuries:

• 15 to 19 year olds• 20 to 24 year olds


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Highlights of CIHI Report: Largest increase in ATV related injuries

was among 20-24 year olds (41%). Head injuries accounted for 19% of ATV

related hospitalizations. 19 Ontarians visited an ED for ATV

related injuries each day in 2004-2005. 80% of ED visits were by males.


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Coroner’s Inquest

Held in Eastern Ontario in August 2005. Examined the death of a 7 year old boy

who was driving an ATV on a municipal road one year earlier.

Ministry of Transportation and other agencies and organizations received standing at the inquest.

6 recommendations were put forward by the jury for consideration.


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Coroner’s Inquest

Jury Recommendations:1. Mandatory approved safety training

and operator’s licence at age 12 years to operate an ATV.

2. At age 12-16 years, permitted to drive an ATV on approved trails only.

3. At 16 years of age or older without a valid driver’s licence, must have an operator’s certificate to operate ATV.


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Coroner’s Inquest

Jury Recommendations:

4. Increased public education.

5. Yearly registration and insurance of ATVs.

6. Manufacturers of ATVs be more pro-active in providing information on safe operation of ATVs.


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Coroner’s Inquest

Current Status: Five of six recommendations directed

towards Ministry of Transportation. MTO is undertaking a comprehensive

review of Ontario’s Off Road Vehicle Legislation.

Includes leading a multi-stakeholder review of the jury’s recommendations.


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Coroner’s Inquest

Current Status: Reviewing education and training

programs for young riders.• MTO strongly supports driver education

programs for all drivers.• It continues to consult with stakeholders and

review the proposal for mandatory training and operator’s licences for young ATV operators.

• Divisive issue with several different views and opinions on how young ATV operators should be treated.


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Coroner’s Inquest

Current Status: Examining the minimum age for off-road

vehicle operators.• Conducted jurisdictional reviews in Canada and

the United States.• Held two external stakeholder consultations in

May and December 2006 to gather input and review proposals.

• MTO is now reviewing this information and determining its next steps.


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Coroner’s Inquest

Current Status: Annual registration and insurance of

ATVs.• Currently it is a one-time registration where

licence plate and permit are issued.• MTO is reviewing the jury’s recommendation

regarding the introduction of an annual renewal fee for ATV owners.

• Requirement for ATV owner to show proof of insurance at time of renewal.


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Coroner’s Inquest

Current Status: Continue to promote ATV safety and

safe riding practices in Ontario.• Work with community partners and

stakeholders across the province.• Develop community and regional public

education resources.• Provide funding to assist with the development

of public education resources and ATV safety initiatives.


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Regional ATV Safety Initiative Collaboration between several community

partners in Northeastern Ontario. Identified a need to promote ATV safety

awareness in our regional communities.• Increase knowledge and skill level of both experienced

and inexperience riders.• Elevate public awareness of legislation and regulations

for on-road and off-road use.

ATVs being used for recreation and as a mode of transportation.

Tremendous growth in ATV use in Northeastern Ontario.


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Few resources existed to address the issues that were identified as being important.

Established a budget and applied for funding to assist with the development of public education materials.

Partnered with a creative photographer and began preliminary discussions.

Regional ATV Safety Initiative


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Two public education products were developed.

Focus was on promoting safe ATV riding practices and elevating public awareness of on-road and off-road legislation.

Both products were produced in card format for easy reading and durability.

Posters were also developed to provide sustainability to the messages.


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Distribution Public education initiative was launched

in March 2007. 40,000 cards and 1,200 posters were

printed and distributed in Northeastern Ontario.

Products available in both English and French.


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Distribution: 37 OPP detachments and satellite

detachments 16 Government Information Centres 8 Northern Ontario Secondary Schools 7 Community groups 5 Municipal police services 2 Hospital Emergency Departments Local ATV clubs ATV Retail outlets and repair facilities


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Distribution: Ministry of Transportation

• Reprinted 50,000 cards for provincial distribution

Liquor Control Board of Ontario• Distributed 10,000 cards• Displayed 300 posters• In support of its DRIVE Safe Campaign• August/September 2007


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Riding With A Whole New Respect

Additional Resources:

www.e-laws.gov.on.ca www.mto.gov.on.ca www.cihi.ca www.smartrisk.ca www.cohv.ca


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Contact Information:

Jeff GriffithRegional PlannerRoad Safety Marketing OfficeOntario Ministry of [email protected]

Documents

Riding With A Whole New Respect Promoting ATV Safety Within Your Community Presented by: Jeff Griffith Regional Planner Road Safety Marketing Office Ontario