Town to consider permitted use of OHVs on local roads
By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Town of Strathmore is considering exploration of a bylaw amendment to permit the use of off-highway vehicles (OHVs) on local roads.
Local resident, Murray Norrington, brought the idea forward to council, July 22, for their information and consideration.
He stated the change is permitted under the Alberta Safety Act, and is already allowed in municipalities such as Sylvan Lake, Beiseker, Legal, Edson, High Level, the County of Wetaskiwin, Yellowhead County, and Wood Buffalo.
“This change would not only benefit myself, but other owners of street legal off-highway vehicles. This change would also allow the town to use their own Kabotas on the roads legally as well,” said Norrington. “At present, if I need to take my vehicle anywhere in town, I have to load it onto a trailer and transport it that way. I would much prefer to just be able to go to the town hall or the Legion, or a restaurant to pick up supplies from local stores without having to drive a full-size pickup.”
He argued that OHVs are both less expensive to operate than a more standard vehicle and causes less wear and tear on town infrastructure.
The request is not to allow them on highways such as the Trans-Canada, rather only on local municipal roads.
Norrington suggested the town may also consider mandating features such as rotating lights on UHVs for search and rescue purposes, and annually renewed permit stickers.
His own vehicle which served as an example during his presentation, he explained only has a top speed of 70 km/hr and is not believed to be crash mandated by Alberta’s Highway Traffic Act.
“What was being proposed (was) that any vehicle needed to have the requisite equipment to be on the road, that being a seat belt, signal lights, headlights, tail lamps, and registration and proof of insurance,” said Staff Sgt. Mark Weilgosz, noting the similar proposal which was previously brought forward to the City of Chestermere. “Any operator that was operating on the road needed to be fully licensed. Furthermore, the path was to be the direct route to get either to the lake, or the vehicle was to be used in relation to a practical purpose, such as clearing snow.”
Weilgosz added in High Level, the conditions passed regarding their operation was to permit OHVs in order for residents to move them to places where they could be used without needing to transport them on trailers.
CAO Kevin Scoble clarified council would have to amend the local Traffic Control Bylaw in order to see OHVs permitted for local road use.
Should the town decide to proceed, per unit costs to inspect vehicles in question would have to be discovered and rates assigned to the process.
Director Mark Pretzlaff pointed out town staff would also be required to determine the sort of knowledge and training required to authorize distributing a license or permit to an applicant for their vehicle.