**** RCMP Media Release
Off highway vehicle enforcement initiative results in multiple charges
On July 23 and July 24, Halifax District RCMP and the Department of Environment and Climate Change conducted an off-highway vehicle (OHV) education and enforcement operation on the St. Margaret’s Bay Trail and Beechville Lakeside Timberlea Rails to Trails. The operation resulted in tickets and warnings for several infractions under the Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act and Off-Highway Vehicle Act as well as Criminal Code charges.
Officers issued ten tickets for infractions such as operating OHV without a permit and operating an OHV without safety training, in addition to 30 warnings.
One incident resulted in Criminal Code charges. On July 23, a male driver of an OHV refused to stop for enforcement officers then struck an officer’s OHV while trying to flee. The man was stopped a short distance later and arrested without further incident. The 25-year-old man is scheduled to appear in Halifax Provincial Court on August 24 to face charges of Dangerous Operation, Flight From Police, Assaulting a Peace Officer and Resisting Arrest.
In total, enforcement officers were in contact with over 100 people during the two days.
To ensure everyone’s safety when out on the trails here are a few tips:
- Start with safety training.All OHV operators under 16 years of age must complete an approved safety training course and be supervised by someone who is at least 19 years old.
- Stay on marked trails except where travel across a roadway is necessary.
- Obey the rules of the road/trail and respect posted signs, as well as the rights of other riders.
- Ride sober.
- Always wear protective clothing, including a helmet, gloves and eye protection. Helmets are required, even if you are driving in a side-by-side.
The RCMP continues to encourage members of the public to call them to report any unsafe driving, and that includes roads and trails. To contact the Halifax District RCMP, call 902-490-5020. Should you wish to remain anonymous call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.
