And some new regulations and fines for 20-21
GutZ
ATVs and snowmobiles: fines of up to $ 25,000
PATRICE BERGERON
The Canadian Press
Faced with a heavy toll of nearly 600 dead in 10 years, the Legault government wants to civilize the practice of snowmobiling and ATVs with hefty fines of up to $ 25,000.
Lhe Minister of Transport, François Bonnardel, tabled, on Thursday, Bill 71, which provides a much stricter framework for the circulation of these high-performance vehicles, which are increasingly numerous.
In 10 years, ATVs and snowmobiles have caused no less than 581 deaths and 6,237 hospitalizations, said the spokesperson for the Minister of Transport, Florence Plourde. In comparison, there are more or less 400 deaths per year on the roads of Quebec.
16 years old
If Bill 71 is passed, you will have to be 16 years old and undergo compulsory training to operate these machines. And beware: a person who lets a minor who does not have these prerequisites to drive this type of vehicle is liable to a maximum fine of $ 900, while for a rental company, it can reach $ 25,000.
Also, the cars will have to slow down: the maximum speed imposed on snowmobilers will be 70 km / h, while it will be 50 km / h for “quad” drivers. And less than 100 meters from a home, a health establishment or an area reserved for the practice of cultural, educational, recreational or sports activities, the pilots will have to slow down to 50 km / h.
A fine speeding regime is also planned, with penalties that increase for every 5 km / h that exceeds the permitted speed.
Driving while impaired is prohibited.
It would also be prohibited to drive off-road on public land when the State specifies it. Drivers must respect the tranquility of natural environments and not disturb the behavior of animals.
It is now specified in full that it is forbidden to "frighten, chase, mutilate or kill an animal, with the vehicle or otherwise", or even "to throw or abandon any object or waste" . The fine can then reach $ 500 for an individual, but $ 15,000 for a legal person.
Neighborhood
In addition, the bill wants to end disputes with homeowners who live near trails. Indeed, the text provides that they will have to accept the inconveniences resulting from the circulation of this type of vehicle.
And moreover, "no legal action can be brought against the owner or the lessee of private land which authorizes a club of off-road vehicle users to develop and operate a trail there", we can read. .
However, traffic will only be permitted between 6 a.m. and midnight, except in more isolated and uninhabited territories which are specified in the legislative document.
The text also provides for a series of rules on the maintenance, safety of the vehicle and its mechanical condition.
Finally, a person who wants to rent an ATV or a snowmobile must first take training. Thus, the many French tourists who wish to go on a snowmobile excursion will have to be duly trained before venturing on the trails.
The bill will now have to go through the legislative stages and therefore be studied in a parliamentary committee before it is eventually adopted.
