Young ATVers rack up tickets on CBS streets

It didn’t take long for the first infractions to occur following the legalization of ATVs on some public roads in CBS.

At least two such infractions have been recorded by the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary so far, according to the force’s spokesman, Const. James Cadigan.

The first occurred on August 24, three weeks after Seal Cove Road, Anchorage Road  and streets leading off them were opened to ATV use as part of a pilot project until November 15. Cadigan said officers observed off-road vehicles operating at a high rate of speed on Route 60.

“A traffic stop was conducted, identifying the operator of one off-road vehicle to be a 14-year-old male,” said Cadigan. “The operator was issued summary offence tickets (SOTs) for operating an off-road vehicle while underage and operating without supervision. In addition, the 39-year-old owner of the off-road vehicle, his father, was issued a SOT for allowing operation of an off-road vehicle without supervision.”

The next infraction happened on September 6. Patrol officers observed an off-road vehicle travelling on Seal Cove Road in CBS at a high rate of speed, and a traffic stop was conducted.

“The 13-year-old male operating the off-road vehicle was issued a SOT for operating an off-road vehicle while underage,” said Cadigan. “A SOT was also issued to a 37-year-old female, his mother, in relation to allowing operation of an off-road vehicle while unsupervised.”

Cadigan said the RNC is urging the public to report incidents of dangerous driving directly to the police by calling 911. To report anonymously, you can visit www.nlcrimestoppers.com to reach the Crime Stoppers website.