This past weekend, RCMP NL continued to see operators of off-road vehicles taking increased risks by driving at excessive speeds, driving while impaired and stunting.
At approximately 10:15 a.m. on July 1, 2022, Bay St. George RCMP observed a side-by-side all-terrain vehicle (ATV) traveling on the road at a speed of 113 km/h in a posted 50 km/h residential area in Ship Cove. A traffic stop was conducted and the 40-year-old operator was ticketed for the speed, his licence was suspended and the ATV was seized and impounded.
Shortly after 7:00 p.m. on July 2, 2022, New-Wes-Valley RCMP stopped an ATV operating on the side of a roadway in Lumsden. The 47-year-old operator, who was not wearing a helmet, showed signs of alcohol impairment. He failed a roadside breath test, was arrested for impaired driving and was transported to the detachment where he provided breath samples that were more than two and a half times the legal limit. The man was released from custody and is set to appear in court at a later date to answer to impaired driving charges. His licence was suspended and the ATV was seized and impounded.
That same evening, at approximately 7:15 p.m., Grand Falls-Windsor RCMP received a report of an off-road vehicle crash in Botwood. The 18-year-old operator of a dirt bike, who was not wearing a helmet, lost control while doing a wheelie (riding solely on the rear tire of the dirt bike) on Lighthouse Road. He departed the roadway and was seriously injured. The man was transported to the Central Newfoundland Regional Hospital. The dirt bike, which was uninsured, was seized and impounded. The investigation is continuing.
RCMP NL warns off-road vehicle operators of the deadly consequences that can be associated with increased risk taking. So far in 2022, nine people have died during off-road vehicle incidents in areas policed by RCMP NL.
