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Safety and Injury Prevention

ATV Safety

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More and more people are using all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) as recreational vehicles. If you plan to use an ATV, be aware of the legislation in Newfoundland and Labrador. ALWAYS follow ATV safety practices .

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ATVs are motorized ride-on vehicles with four wheels and large, low-pressure tires. Most models are designed to be used by one person in off-road areas, not on public roads. ATVs can weigh over 300 kg (661 lbs) and can reach high speeds.

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Children and youth younger than 16 years old should not operate an ATV. Young people don’t have the knowledge, strength, judgement, and maturity to operate these vehicles safely. Combined with a tendency to be impulsive and take risks, youth are at especially high risk of injury when using ATVs.

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NL regulations include:

  • A person must be 16 to operate an adult size ATV (over 90cc).

  • A person aged 14 or 15 can operate an ATV, up to and including 90cc, if accompanied and supervised by a person 19 year of age or older.

  • A person under 14 years of age is not permitted to operate any size ATV.

  • The NL legislation has always required operators to wear a helmet. If the ATV has no windshield, then the operator must wear a face shield, safety glasses or goggles. (Exceptions are possible in the forestry, mining, fishing, construction or agricultural industries.)

 

Reduce ATV injuries through these safety practices:

  • Drive sober - alcohol, drugs and ATVs don’t mix.

  • Refuse to carry or be a passenger on an ATV that is built for one person.

  • Complete an approved ATV training course if available in your area.

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Some information taken from Service NL/ATV Safety.

 

For additional information on ATV safety, please visit the links below.

http://www.parachutecanada.org/injury-topics/item/all-terrain-vehicle-safety

https://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/all_terrain_vehicles

https://www.assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/Regulations/rc961163.htm

https://www.servicenl.gov.nl.ca/drivers/atvsafety/atvsafety_brochure.pdf

https://www.servicenl.gov.nl.ca/drivers/atvsafety/whatsnew.html

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Snowmobile Safety

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Snowmobiling is a popular winter activity in Canada and is fun, but can also be dangerous, especially for children. Many children are seriously injured each year, sometimes fatally, by operating or riding on a snowmobile.

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To safely operate a snowmobile, you need to be strong, skilled and mature. For this reason, children and teens under 16 years of age should not operate snowmobiles.

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Statistics show main causes of child snowmobile-related injuries are losing control of the machine, being thrown off or colliding with an immobile object, such as a tree or another snowmobile. Children have also been seriously injured as passengers or while being towed behind a snowmobile in a tube or sled.

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Head injuries are more common in passengers than in drivers. It takes strength to be a passenger on a snowmobile. Passengers need to hold on tight for a long period of time, which can be hard to do, especially when the snowmobile is running over bumpy ground at a high speed. For this reason, children under the age of 6 should never ride as passengers on a snowmobile.

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Follow these tips to improve safety and reduce injury.

  • Avoid “kid-sized” snowmobiles, despite their smaller size. They are still not safe for children's use.

  • Snowmobile drivers should receive instruction in the safe operation of their machine by an instructor. Contact your provincial or territorial snowmobile association.

  • Ride on trails that enforce rules and promote safe driving.

  • Never tow a person behind a snowmobile on saucers, tubes, tires, sleds or skis– this is a high-risk activity.

  • Always wear a CSA-approved helmet

  • Never drive impaired by alcohol or drugs

  • Respect the environment and other's property

  • Dress appropriately: warm coat, snow pants, mitts/gloves and dress in warm layers. Wear neck wraps rather than scarfs.

  • Always tell someone where you are going and when you will be back

  • Check the weather before going out for a ride

  • Charge your cell phone fully and wear it close to your body to maintain its charge.

  • If you must travel on ice, check the ice or contact someone who will know the condition of the ice (RCMP, RNC, local wildlife officers, etc.)

 

For more information please visit the following links:

https://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/snowmobiles

http://www.parachutecanada.org/injury-topics/item/snowmobiling

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