RELEASE: Immediately
                                                                                                         21 September 2005
FROM:
S.A.V.E.
(Snowmobile, All Terrain Vehicle & Vessel Enforcement Team)
East Region

PASSENGERS ON ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES
WHEN IS IT SAFE TO DO?

The O.P.P. S.A.V.E. Team would like to prevent any further accidents on All-Terrain Vehicles.

All-Terrain Vehicles(ATVs) designed for driver only, should never carry passengers.

ATVs come with warnings from the manufacturer that tell operators, not to take passengers on a driver-only machine as it may cause severe injury or death.

Cargo boxes that look like seats are being added to driver-only ATVs to carry passengers. These boxes also state on them no passengers and some also state that carrying a passenger can cause severe injury or death.

By taking a passenger on an ATV designed for a driver-only creates problems in safe handling because the passenger is seated behind the rear axle and the suspension is not designed for carrying a passenger in that position.

The only ATVs that should carry passengers, are the machines that are designed to carry passengers by the manufacturer of the ATV.

ATVs are PROHIBITED FROM CARRYING PASSENGERS ALONG APPROVED HIGHWAYS.

Operators of an ATVs who fail to follow the manufacturer's warnings about carrying passengers could face Provincial or Criminal charges depending on all the circumstances when and if the  ATV is involved in a collision.






Safe Riding Rules to Remember:
1. Always wear an approved helmet.
2. Never operate an A.T.V. when consuming alcohol.
3. Always read the instruction manual and follow manufacturer's recommendations, Obey warning labels and stickers on the A.T.V.
i.e.( never carry passengers on ATVs designed for one person)
4. ATVs shall not be operated on Municipal Roads unless a by-law has been passed allowing such operation. Operators need to check with their municipality for status.
5. Observe and obey the laws. Read the Ontario Off Road Vehicles Act(O.R.V.A.). It can be found on the Internet at  e-laws.gov.on.ca
6. Parents should remember that A.T.V.s are not toys. Children should only use A.T.V.s after having received proper instruction and while under direct supervision. Children should operate the proper A.T.V. that is recommended for their age.

I have included some photos of the standard warning labels found on ATVs. The Labels clearly warn operators !!!!!




Contact:
Randal Haddrall
Provincial Constable                        
East Region S.A.V.E. Team
Media Relations Officer
1-888-236-0897