The petition
In Feburary 2007, The NB Minister of Public Safety announced a move to amend the Off-Road Vehicle Act , “Bill 17”, which “will prohibit the operation of an off-road vehicle by any person under 16 years of age, except as otherwise provided by the act. Under the act, 14- and 15-year-olds will be permitted to operate a size-appropriate machine as defined by regulation, provided they have taken an approved safety course and are accompanied and supervised by an adult who has taken an approved safety-training course.”
The result will be that, all persons under the age of 14 will be strictly prohibited from operating any off-road vehicle, with limited exceptions for those 14 and 15 years old. The law will be enforced with, among other penalties, fines exceeding $2,600.
Their rationale is that a complete ban on riders under 14 is necessary to reduce the injury statistics for off-road vehicle operators, and the safety of children in this province is “not up for discussion”.
Those opposing the Bill strongly believe that banning young riders is not the solution. Increasing regulation that clearly defines an age-appropriate vehicle classification, mandatory adult supervision, skills training and education will improve the safety statistics for young riders, without taking away their freedom of choice to ride. Riding off-road vehicles is a freedom that has been enjoyed by New Brunswickers for many years, is a family recreation, and a thriving form of organized motorsport in this province. Furthermore, developing skills in young riders will help them develop a respect for these vehicles at an early age, better preparing them to be responsible riders in their teen years and into adulthood.
As validation to this opinion, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has determined that “you are less likely to be injured riding an ATV than riding a bicycle, playing baseball, basketball or football”. The Canada Safety Council maintains “to ban the use of ATVs by children under age 16 would be a mistake. Enforcement would be difficult (if not impossible) on private property and in northern and rural communities where ATV use is common, and not just for recreation. Child-size machines with reduced speed capability and a device to stop the vehicle remotely could be removed from sale. Children who ride in spite of a ban will develop a disrespect for the law — an unacceptable attitude to take into adulthood”.
I believe that the NB Government should not implement the proposed amendment as it stands. I believe the NB government should work with representatives of the off-road community to develop legislation that improves the safety of off-road vehicle operation by young riders, without taking away their freedom to ride.
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