Fisheries, Forestry and Agrifoods
September 23, 2016

Public Advisory: Conservation Officers Seize Vehicles

Conservation officers with the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agrifoods, Forest Service Branch, seized an all-terrain vehicle and a dirt bike earlier this month while patrolling in the Happy Valley-Goose Bay area. Officers also issued seven tickets under the Motorized Snow Vehicle and All-Terrain Vehicles Act for violations of all-terrain vehicle (ATV) use along roadways.

The violations included operating an all-terrain vehicle while not wearing a helmet, operating an all-terrain vehicle without insurance, operating an all-terrain vehicle on a highway and operating an all-terrain vehicle while being underage and without being accompanied by an adult. Fines for violations involving all-terrain vehicles range from $115 to $575 for a first offence.

Conservation officers are actively addressing the lack of helmet usage by riders of all-terrain vehicles in the area and promoting safe operating practices of off-road vehicles.

Under the Motorized Snow Vehicle and All-Terrain Vehicles Act, operators are required to wear a helmet. If the all-terrain vehicle has no windshield, the operator must wear a face shield, safety glasses or goggles. Exceptions are possible in the forestry, mining, fishing, construction or agricultural industries.

Regulations under the Motorized Snow Vehicle and All-Terrain Vehicles Act can be found at www.assembly.nl.ca/legislation/sr/statutes/m20.htm

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Media contact:

Vanessa Colman-Sadd Director of Communications Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agrifoods 709-729-3733, 682-6593 VanessaColmanSadd@gov.nl.ca

2016 09 23            11:35 a.m.