Sask ATV Association pushing for safety training after fatal crash

However, RCMP have said the girl was not wearing a helmet.

“That’s a problem, and we know it’s a problem,” said Meed. “We had a campaign last year that focused in on helmets. We’ve had another safety campaign this year where safety helmets was one of those issues that was described as important.”

Meed said ATV accidents are often caused by a lack of education, which is something the Saskatchewan ATV Association has been trying to change.

“We’ve proposed mandatory training for years now. They do it in the snowmobile sector and it’s proved very successful there.”

Meed said the Saskatchewan ATV Association works to educate riders on how to get out of dangerous situations.

“One of the things that we do teach in the training courses is how to get off [the ATV] properly when you start seeing it roll over,” said Meed.

“When you’re ejected from a machine, especially if it rolls on top of you, or if you’re not wearing proper equipment,” said Meed, “that’s where we’re seeing the serious injuries.”

While alcohol is not considered a factor in the fatality near Hudson Bay, Meed stressed that it has been a major contributing factor in many of the ATV related deaths over the past couple of years.

According to Meed there were 5 ATV related deaths in 2014 and 8 in 2013.

jsperling@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jnsperling

by Jill Sperling

Sask ATV Association pushing for safety training after fatal crash

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