After three ATV fatalities were reported in Manitoba and Saskatchewan a couple of weeks ago during a single weekend, riders are looking to see how they can improve safety.
John Meed, the General Manager of the Saskatchewan All Terrain Vehicle Association, says current rules aren't enough.
“The safety, the training regulations right now probably aren't enough. Snowmobiles, boats, and motorcycles, all have to take training before they can ride those respective vehicles and we think the same should be in place for ATVs.”
“Right now, there's a regulation that requires anybody from 12 to 15 to either take training or be supervised by somebody who's had a license for a year and we don't feel that's enough. There's no size requirements, a 12-year-old can legally jump on a 1000CC ATV, and be supervised by somebody who has had a license for a year so technically they could be 17 years old and go out on public property.
"We just don't think that's adequate. Manufacturers have recommendations for size, we shouldn't be allowing children to ride adult ATVs. They should be size appropriate, they should have the strength and the size to properly handle the machines developed and manufactured for those younger age groups.”
They're now hoping to start registration, in order to improve safety and create new resources for riders.
"We've been trying to convince the government that registration would be a good thing. We think that ATV registration would offer an opportunity to put some money into a trail fund and develop trails that are managed and groomed and provide a safer and more enjoyable opportunity to riders.”
Training is especially important for ATV riders, with Meed encouraging any unprepared riders to look for a course.
"We encourage training for anybody and everybody. ATVs don't operate like any other vehicle out there, they're intended to go over rough surfaces, climb hills, descend hills, go over small trees and rocks, and you got to know what you're doing. You need to know how to shift your body weight, you have to know how to survey the scene properly, check to make sure your machine is in good working order before you leave, and other things like don't go out by yourself unless you let somebody know where you're going to be in when you expect to be back."