(WEST PARRY SOUND, ON) – On June 11, 2016, at 1:06 a.m., a member of the West Parry Sound Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) observed a multi-purpose off-highway utility vehicle (UTV) weaving from side to side on Clear Lake Road in Seguin Township. Police activated the emergency lights and the UTV turned onto a private drive and stopped. When the officer approached the UTV it sped away crashing into a tree. The officer determined that the driver had consumed alcohol.
As a result of the officer’s investigation, Guy PATRY, 49 years of age from Seguin Township, was arrested and charged with:
Driving While Ability Impaired – motor vehicle contrary to the Criminal Code (CC).
Driving with more than the 80 mgs. of Alcohol in Blood contrary to the CC.
Flight while pursued by police contrary to the CC.
Off road vehicle – Driver – no helmet contrary to the Highway Traffic Act (HTA).
Off road vehicle – not properly insured contrary to the HTA.
Drivers fail to have insurance contrary to the HTA.
Off road vehicle – no number plate showing permit contrary to the HTA.
Having liquor in open container in a place other than licenced premises contrary to the Liquor Licence Act (LLA).
The driver was served a summons requiring him to attend the Ontario Court of Justice in Parry Sound on June 30, 2016 to answer to his charges. His licence was suspended for ninety days and the vehicle he was operating has been impounded for seven days.
Any person operating an off-road vehicle (ORV), all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or side-by-side or utility terrain vehicles (UTV) along a highway needs to be a licenced driver and must be able to produce the registration and insurance for the vehicle. Safety is of paramount importance so you will need to be wearing an approved helmet and your headlamps will need to be on at all times.
Speed limits will need to be observed: 50 km/hr on highways with a speed limit in excess of 50 km/hr and 20km/hr on highways with posted limits not greater than 50 km/hr.
Keep off the paved portion of the highway and be mindful of your impact on the immediate environment. You are responsible for any damage your machine might cause to the shoulders and ditches so go easy and remember you are representing a growing number of off-road enthusiasts.
The entire body of the regulation can be viewed and downloaded via the internet at www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/030316.
