ATV safety advocate wishes mandatory N.L. test was more hands-on

A new mandatory training course for some ATV drivers in Newfoundland and Labrador is now online but one safety advocate says something vital is missing from it.

Rick Noseworthy, president of the Newfoundland T'Railway Council, said it's a free online coursethrough the provincial government and the final test has 15 multiple choice questions. The participant needs to answer at least 12 questions correctly scoring 80 per cent to pass.

"I've seen it and done the test and it's pretty good. You know, it's not hands-on," he told CBC News.

"As an instructor, we like hands-on. Now, there's no substitute for hands-on but as far as online courses go, it's good."

According to a government statement, the training course came online on May 24 and will be mandatory sometime later this year.

WATCH | CBC's Elizabeth Whitten talks World Trails Day with Newfoundland T'Railway Council president Rick Noseworthy:

ATV enthusiasts gather for joyride to celebrate International Trails Day

6 months ago

Duration 2:45

In Conception Bay South, a group of avid ATV riders got behind their wheels Saturday to get out on the trails and celebrate International Trails Day. The CBC's Elizabeth Whitten spoke to them about their enthusiasm for offroading, and about the importance of doing it safely.

The mandatory training only applies to some off-road vehicle drivers. Anyone who is under 16 years of age or is registering an off-road vehicle with Motor Registration Division for the first time will be required to take the course.

Drivers who had their off-road vehicle registration suspended or cancelled will also be required to take and pass the course if they want to be reinstated.

There is in-person training available for people who want to seek it out, Noseworthy said, including through his organization.

Life changed forever

In 2006, 15-year-old Tanya Pender went without a helmet during an ATV ride so it wouldn't mess up her hair. She and her friend lost control of the vehicle and crashed. The accident changed her lifeand it led a brain injury and she had to go through years of physical therapy,speech therapyand occupational therapy.

Now 32, she lives in Paradise with her family and she still has tremors in her hands and feet, as well as headaches and she said it occasionally feels like it's bleeding inside her head.

In 2022 the provincial government brought in alaw requiring riders to wear helmets and use seatbelts in order to make ATV driving safer.

She thinks that if rules around helmets and seatbelts had been in place in 2006, it might have prevented her accident.

"But I guess it was just my bad decision," Pender told CBC News.

She isn't sure the mandatory online class would have made a difference for her, adding that someone still needs to make sure youths take the test in the first place.

Her Paradise home overlooks a field where a lot of ATV drivers useand she said it can be upsetting to see them disregard safety measures.

"And whenever I see somebody without a helmet on I get so mad. I guess they're not listening It really frustrates me."

Making ATVs safer

Dean Layman, president of Avalon ATV, said he does see a few people not adhering to rules, like not wearing helmets or having too many people sitting on the vehicle. Recently he saw a child wearing a helmet but not the adult driver.

"I don't know what message it's sending but it's the wrong message. But you can't stop everything. But if it helps two or three people, it's better than nothing" said Layman.

Unless there are police officers on the trail enforcing rules, he said some people are going to disregard rules.

For his part, Layman said safety measures are enforced when he takes groups out for rides.

"No helmet, no ride. I don't deal with it. I've seen it enough. I've heard enough."

It only takes a few seconds for an off-road vehicleto flip and ruin a life, he said, adding there are people who are dead because they only intended to go on a short ride and they didn't wear a helmet.

"Use your head. Use your helmet that's the way I look at it."

Throughout the year there are statements from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police about ATV fatalities and crashes, sometimes involving children.

Noseworthy said talking about these incidents can help remind people to take safety seriously.

Children are going to misbehave while operating these types of vehicles and it's the parents' responsibility to ensure children follow the rules, he said.

"We preach this all the time you're putting an awful lot of responsibility on these kids. You know, it's all good when it's going good, but when it goes bad, it can go bad really quick," said Noseworthy.

If a child crashes an ATV, they could carry that for the rest of their lives, he added.

Pender agrees with Noseworthy and Layman on the important role that parents play in enforcing safety rules.

"The parents should crack down on them and tell them, 'This is what could happen to you. It could ruin your whole life,'" she said.

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