The Huntsville OPP would like to remind off-road vehicle drivers to exercise caution and follow basic safety laws that are designed to keep you safe while operating any type of off-road vehicle (ORV).
OPP investigations into ORV collisions continue to show that speed, losing control, alcohol consumption, lack of experience and overall carelessness are major contributing factors in severe injuries and deaths. Operators who do not wear their helmets are at a much higher risk of serious injury or death if they crash, lose control or their ORV tips over.
Graduated licencing requirements apply to young and novice drivers when travelling on-road. Please check with your local by-laws to find out which roads you can and cannot drive on.
The OPP has been and will be continuing to monitor ORV traffic on the trail systems and in the communities they serve. This includes ATV’s and dirt bikes. When stopped by police or a conservation officer, you must provide the following when requested: driver’s licence when required, registration permit and proof of insurance. Driver’s found to not be in compliance may face charges under various Provincial Acts.
All operators and passengers should be equipped properly. Operators’ also need to ensure they hold the appropriate trail pass. Children need to be accompanied by a responsible adult until they are the proper age to ride alone.
On the April 11, 2022 a member of the OPP Central Region, Traffic Incident Management Enforcement (TIME) Team was conducting traffic enforcement on South Ril Lake Road, Township of Lake of Bays. At approximately 4:20 p.m. they observed an ORV traveling eastbound on Ril Lake Rd with no headlights on and both the driver and passengers not wearing helmets.
The officer activated the police vehicle’s emergency equipment to initiate a traffic stop. The OVR driver turned onto a fire access road and accelerated away from police to flee the area.
Police made patrols and located the OVR and driver.
As a result of the investigation the driver, Alexander Mavromihelakis, age 24 of Huntsville, was charged with the following:
- Fail to stop for police
- Driver no helmet
- Drive with passenger not wearing proper helmet
- Driver fail to surrender licence
- No ORV permit
- No number plate showing permit
- Not properly insured
- Lamps not lit
The accused was served a Part III summons and is scheduled to attend the Provincial Offences Court, Bracebridge on June 28, 2022 to answer to the charges.
