ATV misuse causes damage, reaction

Every year, as the snow melts and winter makes way for spring, the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) and Kahnawake Peacekeepers make efforts to encourage safe usage of ATVs as their use grows in warmer days.

This year is no different, although they will be taking the form of operations against the misuse of the vehicles in the community along with online campaigns for safety. That is due to the growing number of complaints from community members to the Peacekeepers.

“We have complaints just about every day,” said Peacekeepers spokesperson Kyle Zachary.

There have also been recent incidents in the community, including two accidents that resulted in injuries last week, as well as heavy damage to the Mystic Pines Golf & Country Club course caused by a suspected ATV doing donuts on the course.

The ATV rules outlined by the Peacekeepers in their online release this week include the need for ATV users to be 16 or older, have a valid driver’s license and ATV permit issued by the Peacekeepers, have civil liability insurance of no less than $500,000, not carry more passengers than seats, obey road signs, and not operate the vehicle on roads unless it is to cross over to another path.

ATV users who wish to operate the vehicle on roads for work reasons can ask for an exemption from the MCK.

What operations look like on the ground will vary from case to case, Zachary said, but patrolling officers will be on the lookout for violations, which could result in fines or vehicle impounding.

“This is for safety’s sake. This isn’t because we don’t want people on ATVs. These rules exist for a reason, and it’s to keep our community safe,” said Zachary, adding that ATV safety is always a priority for the Peacekeepers at this time of year.

MCK chief Ryan Montour, who leads the public safety portfolio, said that he also receives complaints directly to his office about ATV misuse. He said that at the end of the day, ATV use is a matter of respect.

“Respect for the power of the machine, respect for your fellow community members and just being responsible,” said Montour.

“There are responsible ATV users. We’re not targeting responsible ATV users.”

He said that parents should be keeping an eye on young ATV users, potentially shadowing them when they ride and educating them on using them safely.

He said that ATVs can be deceptively fast and powerful, particularly for newer drivers.

“It is crazy how fast these machines are nowadays. There’s a lot of horsepower involved,” said Montour.

He also said that he would like to see a return of an ATV driving course in the community.

Zachary, through the DARE program, often speaks to youth in schools, who have told him on a number of occasions that they have gotten into ATV accidents, but they had been unhurt.

“Nothing happened to you that time. I’m glad for that, but that doesn’t mean the next time, it’ll be the same result,” said Zachary.

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