New Brunswick makes changes to off-road vehicle legislation

The New Brunswick government has proposed changes to the Off-Road Vehicle Act in the province, aimed mainly at improving safety.

The government is proposing changes including:

• Expanding the definition of “all-terrain vehicle” to include side-by-side off-road vehicles, utility vehicles and amphibious vehicles.
• Requiring that documented verbal consent be accepted as permission to construct an all-terrain vehicle managed or snowmobile managed trail on private land.
• Removing the need for passengers to disembark an off-road vehicle to cross a roadway.
• Implementing consistent standards for safety equipment.
• Implementing placement standards for licence plates and trail permits.
• Banning trail use by those convicted of driving under the influence.
• Broadening the types of acceptable written authorization (in addition to leases) to identify a managed trail.

“Use of all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles is an important part of life for many New Brunswickers, and we want to ensure continued safety standards as well as sustainable growth for the industry,” Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Robert Trevors noted in a statement Friday.

“These changes will ensure that the act reflects modern standards and improves safety for all trail users.”