www.selkirkjournal.com/News/326296.html -
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Published on: 7/20/2007
Last Visited: 7/28/2007
But while the vehicles can be a great way to get outdoors, drivers need to be aware of the risks and responsibilities that come with them, said Greg Dueck, director of industrial and road safety for Safety Services Manitoba. ATVs are regulated as registered motor vehicles in Manitoba, he said.That means if you're driving the vehicle off your own property, you need a license. "You're driving a licensed vehicle," he said."It requires a driver's license." ATVs are not allowed to travel on roads, he said, although they can cross the road when going from trail to trail.
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Dueck said there are a few common mistakes people make that result in accidents.A key one, he said, is to drive an ATV with more power than they can handle."It's like a bike.You have to get one that's the right size," he said."Sometimes parents will put their kid on a bike that's too big for them.It creates issues of control."Just because a 35-year old man can handle a particular ATV, he said, it doesn't mean a 16-year old boy can handle the same machine.The issue of control becomes even more critical while driving at dusk or at night according to Dueck.He said at 30 to 35 miles per hour at night, a driver has enough time to stop before hitting what appears in his or her headlights, for example, a tree.Any faster and there's not enough time to stop."At 40 miles per hour, if you hit the brakes, you hit the tree," he said. Dueck said many accidents occur with two people on one vehicle.Except for one or two particular makes, the vehicles aren't made for two people.They become unstable.He said driving where you're unfamiliar with the terrain can also increase the risk of accidents. Helmets are mandatory in Manitoba for all drivers, and Dueck recommends proper safety equipment, including riding boots, eye protection and jackets.Most people who drive ATVs are happy to spend thousands of dollars on the machines, he said.But few are willing to spend a couple of hundred dollars to get the safety equipment that would save their lies in case of a collision."Most important, learn how to use [your machine].Don't ride beyond your capability," he said.
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