OPP respond to complaints about ATVs, dirt bikes in Alfred-Plantagenet

As some all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and dirt-bike operators continue to travel on municipal and county roads with little regard for safety, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) detachment in Hawkesbury says it is trying to solve the problem.

Officers were on patrol in the Alfred-Plantagenet area from June 17 to 19, responding to numerous complaints from residents regarding ATV and dirt bike use. In a press release, the OPP noted many off-road enthusiasts stopped that weekend were found to be in contravention of the law.

Officers laid approximately 29 charges and issued more than 18 warnings, including: failing to register an ATV; expired plates; failing to wear a helmet; unlawfully driving an off-road vehicle on highway; careless operation; and failing to stop for police, to name only a few.

The OPP is warning operators that officers will be patrolling local roads in an effort to deal with complaints. The Township of Alfred-Plantagenet and the United Counties of Prescott-Russell also have bylaws governing the use of ATVs and dirt bikes on municipal and county roads.

Many municipal and county roads are not open to ATV or dirt bike operators and operators are advised to check with the municipality before taking their vehicles on the road.

Marianne Duquette and Mario Allaire are both residents of Plantagenet, who told The Review they are "fed up" with the constant noise and lack of respect some operators have when travelling down municipal and county roads.

"There are rules for ATV operators and in many cases, the ones I see are breaking the rules," Duquette said, adding she often sees riders traveling at high rates of speed and recently, she witnessed one rider driving down the road on two wheels.

Allaire lives near Concession 4 and he said he can't stand the noise.

"If they're going to ride them, that's one thing," he remarked. "But the noise some of these guys make it just deafening. There's no need for it."