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

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, 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.

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, 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.

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, 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.

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, Legislation Permitted on Some Roads in Ontario Only 4-wheel ATVs are allowed access to defined highways (municipal/provincial)

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, Legislation Prohibited on All Roads in Ontario

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, 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.

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, 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.

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, 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

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, 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

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, 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

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, 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

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, 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%)  Alcohol10(45%)  Lost control10(45%)  Struck object 9(41%)  Excessive speed 4(18%) Statistics from municipal and provincial police agencies

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, 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.

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, ATV Injuries in Ontario Highlights of CIHI Report:  Most ATV hospitalizations in 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

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, ATV Injuries in Ontario Highlights of CIHI Report:  Largest increase in ATV related injuries was among year olds (41%).  Head injuries accounted for 19% of ATV related hospitalizations.  19 Ontarians visited an ED for ATV related injuries each day in  80% of ED visits were by males.

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, Coroner’s Inquest  Held in Eastern Ontario in August  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.

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, 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 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.

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, 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.

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, 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.

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, 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.

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, 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.

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, 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.

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, 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.

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, 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.

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd,  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

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, Regional ATV Safety Initiative  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.

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, Regional ATV Safety Initiative

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, Regional ATV Safety Initiative

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, Regional ATV Safety Initiative

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, Regional ATV Safety Initiative Distribution  Public education initiative was launched in March  40,000 cards and 1,200 posters were printed and distributed in Northeastern Ontario.  Products available in both English and French.

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, Regional ATV Safety Initiative 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

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, Regional ATV Safety Initiative 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

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, Riding With A Whole New Respect Additional Resources:     

SMARTRISK Learning Series October 23rd, Regional ATV Safety Initiative Contact Information: Jeff Griffith Regional Planner Road Safety Marketing Office Ontario Ministry of Transportation