Nova Scotia passes new ATV rules

The Nova Scotia legislature has passed strict new rules for all-terrain vehicles.

The amendments to the Off-highway Vehicles Act bans children under 14 from riding ATVs anywhere except on a closed course. Parents have to supervise the riders and there must be someone with advanced first-aid training standing by.

The issue of ATV safety came to the forefront in Nova Scotia in October when two teenage girls were killed in an accident.

A 14-year-old girl was driving an ATV when it went off the road and into a ravine near Shubenacadie. Her two passengers, aged 14 and 15, died.

RCMP officers found three helmets at the crash scene but didn't know if the girls were wearing them.

That accident happened just as provincial politicians were beginning debate on new rules for ATVs and other off-road vehicles. Some politicians said the accident made them rethink their position on regulating ATVs.

The bill passed on Thursday was a compromise between the governing Tories and the NDP, which pushed for tough rules to protect young ATV drivers and the environment.

Premier John Hamm allowed a free vote after several backbenchers complained the rules were too restrictive and unenforceable.

Although five Tory MLAs and the Liberal caucus voted against the government bill, it passed 30-15.

"My colleagues and I felt it was inappropriate to ban children on children-size machines that were engaging in an activity with their families, without incident by the way," said Brooke Taylor, one of the Tory MLAs who voted against the bill.

Liberal MLAs voted against the amendments because they said the rules didn't go far enough to keep young riders safe or do enough to protect the environment.

Hamm said ATV drivers may need time to adjust to the new rules, but he believes most Nova Scotians will obey the law.