Off Highway Vehicles
Using off highway vehicles (OHV's) for recreational purposes can be a lot of fun, but does have the potential for personal injury, or even death. This is why Parkland County is working to educate users about municipal bylaws and provincial acts relating to proper OHV operation as well as safety precautions to consider.
Click
here to view the new Parkland County Off-Highway Vehicle information brochure.
Discuss OHV Safety with your Family
In order to create a safe environment in which OHV enthusiasts can enjoy the sport of their choice, Parkland County encourages adults and parents to set a good example for their children. It may be a good idea to review this information as a family, and discuss the importance of operating OHV's in a safe and lawful manner.
Capital Health has recently seen a rise in ATV related injuries in children and youth. Please view the following links to view the entire news release on ATV injuries provided by Capital Health and the "Too Young to Drive - Too Young to Ride" Campain:
www.capitalhealth.ca/NewsAndEvents/Features/2007/ATV_injuries
Too Young to Drive - Too Young to Ride" Capital Health
Respect Private Property
Parkland County asks that OHV operators refrain from driving on other people's property. This can not only damage crops, fences and other items into which people have invested personal time and money, it is trespassing and against the law.
Municipal Bylaws
OHV operators who are caught in contravention with municipal regulations are committing an offense and will, as a result, be penalized accordingly. Under Parkland County's bylaw, fines for offenders range from $57 to $500 for a first offence. For a second offence, the fine is doubled, and for a third offence, the fine is tripled.
Please note: The bylaw does not apply to primary and secondary highways, which are under the jurisdiction of the Province. OHV's are not allowed within primary and secondary right-of-ways.
Bylaw Guidelines
The following provides an outline of some of Parkland County's bylaws. A complete copy of the Off-Highway Vehicle Bylaw can be found in our "Frequently Asked Bylaws" section.
In a Subdivision or Hamlet:
- Off highway vehicles are allowed only on the road surface and not in the ditch (this does not include provincial highways or ditches along provincial highways).
- The maximum speed limit while riding on a road surface is 30 km/hr.
On range roads and township roads:
- Off highway vehicles are allowed on the road surface as well as in the ditch (this does not include provincial highways or ditches along provincial highways).
- The maximum speed limit while riding on a road surface is 50 km/hr.
- The maximum speed limit while riding in a ditch is 30 km/hr.
At all times:
- Off highway vehicles must travel on the right hand side of the road, with traffic.
- Operation of off highway vehicles is permitted between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
- The off highway vehicle operator must be at least 16 years of age and hold a valid Class 5 Operator's License, while driving on County roads and in ditches.
- The off highway vehicle must be registered and insured
- The operator and passenger, if any, must be wearing helmets.
- Off highway vehicles are prohibited on environmental reserves, school property and any land marked with signage.
- Off highway vehicles require daytime lights, while driving on County roads and in ditches.
Parkland County's policies includes a process for residents to initiate a request to prohibit off highway vehicles within a hamlet or subdivision. Please contact Protective Services at 780-968-8400 for details.