The new year means changes to the Off-Road Vehicle Act, including stiffer fines and measures to improve trail safety.
It is now an offence to bring non-ATVs on managed ATV trails, and the fine for travelling on maintained trails without a permit has doubled.
Roger Daigle, president of Quad NB, says the changes were a long time coming.
“We’ve been asking for these changes for a long, long time, and now we’re going to get them,” he said.
The new rules, which came into effect January 1, include a provision allowing peace officers to ticket unregistered off-road vehicles, as well as the option to seize and impound an off-road vehicle if it fails to stop for the officer.
Daigle says he believes doubling the fine for driving an ATV without a permit to $280 should help prevent unlawful driving in the future.
“If I was to pay $280 today, I wouldn’t be there the next day I can guarantee you that,” said Daigle. “I think it’s going to put the word across.”
A permit costs just $110, which Daigle says is well worth it for the peace of mind to not worry about being caught without a permit.
With the changes to the off-road act coming at the strike of a new year, Daigle is also wishing ATV drivers a safe year of riding trails.
“I’d like for (drivers) to ride safely, and be careful on those trails, especially in the wintertime because they do get icy.”
