'Zero tolerance' for Gander's rule-breaking ATV drivers

A few bad apples are spoiling the bunch in Gander at least as far as all-terrain vehicles go. 

Gander municipal police say some ATV drivers are abusing the privilege of being able to drive their quads on town streets. 

We want to educate as much as possible and we have tried to do that, but education just has not worked anymore- Wanda Lee Jenkin

The rules allow ATV riders to ride between cars and trucks, but only as long as they are taking the most direct route from their homes to the nearest trail. 

Cpl. Wanda Lee Jenkins said the municipal police are fielding numerous complaints about such things as riders on sidewalks, lawns being torn up, underage driving and driving without insurance. 

She said a crackdown is coming on those who don't follow the rules with fines ranging from $100 to $2,500. 

"If you have no insurance, no registration, no driver's licence, your vehicle can be seized," she said. 

"We want to educate as much as possible and we have tried to do that, but education just has not worked anymore. So now it's zero tolerance." 

Jenkins said Gander's officers will be doing more frequent stops, and will also spend more time patrolling school zones looking for underage children who drive their ATVs or dirt bikes to school — a practice which is not also allowed.