Chatham-Kent's police chief has a clear message for ATV riders: Charges can be laid no matter where you're riding.
Stats have been released following the second quarter of the municipality's year-long ATV bylaw pilot project.
Chief Gary Conn says riders still aren't getting his point, as police laid 12 Highway Traffic Act and four criminal charges related to ATVs between June and October 2016. During that same stretch in 2015, only four charges were issued to ATV riders.
Conn says the misconception is that riders think they're immune to police, as long as they don't travel on highways and roadways.
"When we're talking about driving offences under the Criminal code, certainly with regard to impaired operation and 'over 80,' as well as dangerous driving, it stipulates in the Criminal Code 'anywhere,'" says Conn.
Chatham-Kent police responded to 30 ATV-related calls in the second quarter, up from 17 this time last year. Conn believes the introduction of the bylaw has prompted residents to keep their eyes peeled for suspicious riders.
"People are cognizant of it. They're more in tune with the fact that this could be an issue. If they do hear something or see something, they'll be more ept to contact police," says Conn.
The number of collisions involving ATVs remained unchanged from year-to-year, with police investigating two crashes in the second quarter.
