Spike in ATV deaths prompts call for more enforcement, individual caution

A recent jump in ATV-related deaths is prompting a call for more enforcement and more adherence to safety rules from New Brunswick's off-road-vehicle association. 

July has been a particularly deadly month for off-road-vehicle riders, with five deaths reported in a week. Four of those involved people under the age of 24. 

But 2024 has also seen more deaths to date than usual, an analysis of RCMP reports dating back to 2017 shows. 

Over that time, the seven-year average for deaths involving off-road vehicles like ATVs, side-by-sides and snowmobiles was 10. 

But just over halfway into 2024, the RCMP has already reported 11 deaths among those driving off-road vehicles.

Spokesperson Cpl. Hans Ouellette said New Brunswick RCMP officers "have attended a significant number" of fatal accidents since the summer began.

"The only thing that I can say that is tougher than delivering bad news to a family member or a loved one, is being the person receiving that knock on the door," Ouellette said. 

Jim McGregor, chief instructor with Quad N.B., said the off-road community is always affected when accidents claim lives.

"Any death or accident are tragedies," he said in an interview. "But it puts a black eye on all of the ATVing community."

McGregor said it's hard to pinpoint one cause for the jump, but he believes both government and individual riders have a role in reversing the trend. 

He noted the province's Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement Unit, which was created by the Department of Public Safety in 2008 during another instance where deaths were on the rise.  

"That was a great step forward. But over the years they've dwindled in numbers, they've given them other roles, so enforcement is not really there," said McGregor. 

"Unless someone has really put a lot of complaints in, they won't go to any specific area and watch for infractions. So what we really need is the government to kind of step up with better enforcement and dedicated resources." 

He said there have also been more trails recently added to allow riders to visit communities, access supplies and boost local tourism.