Newfoundland and Labrador tighten rules and regulations for off-roaders

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You’d think donning a brain bucket would be one of the first things a rider would do before heading into the wilderness on their off-road vehicle. However, this appears not to be the case in certain corners of our country. The government of Newfoundland & Labrador has just unveiled its plan to revamp legislation covering the operation of off-road vehicles. Included in the changes? Making helmets mandatory.

Yes, we checked — the calendar does indeed say 2021, not 1981.

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Newfoundland and Labrador tighten rules and regulations for off-roaders Back to video

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Recreational and powersports vehicles have become increasingly popular in many circles, spurred on by the democratization of performance and the need to find appropriately socially-distant leisure activities in the last couple of years. This has led to a new generation of riders, many of whom take sensible safety measures; but, as always, there are those who tend to spoil it for the bunch.

Sarah Stoodley, Minister of Digital Government and Service NL in our country’s most easterly province, has stressed the need for everyone to adopt more of a safety mindset while enjoying the great outdoors. “It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that children, partners, friends and family get not only to enjoy off-road vehicles,” Stoodley said while introducing the proposed legislation, “But to come home safely at the end of the day.” A total of 68 people have perished in off-road vehicle incidents there since 2014.

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In addition to updating regulations – introducing mandatory helmet usage, training requirements, supervision guidelines, and increased fines — the legislation itself, if passed, will bear a fresh name. The new Off-Road Vehicles Act will take over where the Motorized Snow Vehicles and All-Terrain Vehicles Act left off setting rules for operator age and giving teeth to enforcement in addition to the measures described earlier.

It’s not all about dour-faced new rules, however. The revamped Act has provisions for sensible use of public highway shoulders if a rider is trying to access trails, making the sport more accessible to a greater number of people. Some municipalities, like Corner Brook, have passed local laws permitting safe usage of ATVs and side-by-sides on city streets in a bid to improve tourism. Far from being the bloodbath predicted by pearl-clutching ninnies, this initiative has worked well in the hands of sensible individuals.

And it should go without saying: wear a helmet.