Essex town council got a primer on how to craft bylaws surrounding off-road vehicles at Monday night’s meeting.
OPP Const. Gord Keen from the Highway Safety Division at OPP headquarters in Orillia, an expert on the issue, explained how provincial laws surrounding ORVs have changed as of July 1, 2015.
Keen said an incorrect impression of ORVs being free to travel on all roadways was created in some media.
“They cannot operate on every road,” Keen told council.
In fact, the law change allowed municipalities to create bylaws specific to their areas to regulate where and when ORVs can operate.
“Municipalities can dictate when the roads can be used, specific roads,” said Keen. Municipalities can regulate specific roads to be used to gain access to frozen water for ice fishing and can implement specific lower speed limits for ORVs.
“It’s very important when you’re looking at a bylaw that you don’t encourage people to break the law,” Keen said.
Off-road vehicles are not allowed on Class A highways such as Highway 401 or other divided highways.
Keen said since the impression was created that ORVs had free reign on provincial roads, the number of fatal accidents has increased.
There were 14 fatal accidents in 2011, 12 in 2012, 20 in 2013, 11 in 2014, 14 in 2015 and so far in 2016 there have been 16 deaths.
Keen said 41 per cent of ORV collisions occur on highways, frequently when the vehicle is trying to cross, and 37.6 per cent of the crashes occur on municipal or township roads.
Of all the ORV collisions across the province, 24 per cent occur on private property.
Keen said speed is the primary cause of 19 per cent of ORV collisions and lack of control was a factor in 38 per cent of collisions.
Alcohol has been a factor in 52.6 per cent of all accidents thus far in 2016, compared to the previous rate of 20 per cent.
Keen also said that 69 per cent of people in fatal ORV accidents were not wearing a helmet.
“Head, neck and crush injuries are the primary cause of death, especially among youth,” Keen said.
“People tend to view these vehicles as toys, but they are not.”
Ward 3 Coun. Larry Snively asked Keen how municipalities deal with local roads in built-up areas.
Keen said some municipalities, such as Wasaga Beach, have allowed ORVs on all roads.
“They are starting to regret that decision,” said Keen.
Keen said some municipalities have allowed specific roads to be open to ORVs only between January and March to facilitate access to frozen lakes for ice fishing.
“Different municipalities are doing different things,” Keen said.
“You really have to tailor it to your community.”
Keen said the number of calls coming in complaining about ORVs has increased since July 1, 2015.
“We’re getting calls across the province for ORVs being on the roadways,” Keen said.
“There’s a huge education component here and I really suggest any municipality think it through.”
