Mike Athey
PONTIAC Nov. 11, 2020
The Quebec Ministry of Transport announced new rules concerning the operation of off-road vehicles.
According to an Oct. 22 French press release from the ministry, the rules were mainly created to . . .
increase safety, but also strike a balance between off-road vehicle use and the interests of others who have different ideas of how the land should be used.
Minister of Transport François Bonnardel said that over the past 10 years, there have been around 20 deaths per year from off-road vehicles. He said the new rules were being put in place to reduce incidents.
Drivers of off-road vehicles will now be required to have a valid driver’s license before being allowed to drive on roads and public property.
The laws governing the limits on alcohol and drug use were also clarified and were aligned more closely to those under the motor vehicle act.
Residents who live alongside roads and trails are being asked to respect riders who legally travel down these routes.
Diane Barrette, a director of Club Quad du Pontiac, said the rules were going to be a good thing for the club.
“It will stop people riding here and there without a pass,” she said, adding it would prevent those younger than 16 being able to riding ATVs leading to less damage to trails as they sometimes tear up the trails by driving in circles.
She said the new rules would make it easier on owners of ATVs as it would make it more difficult to lodge noise complaints against riders, which was something that was a problem in the past.
These rules will apply not to just ATVs but to all off-road vehicles including snowmobiles.
