A new ATV bylaw campaign is popping up across Chatham-Kent.
The CK ATV Club is creating the campaign in hopes of bringing more awareness to all-terrain vehicle laws across the municipality. The group was the driving force behind the bylaw creation in 2016 that would allow ATVs and similar vehicles to be driven on most rural highways and roadways in CK.
According to former club president Vince Masse, they've noticed that there are still a few ATV riders who are driving on roads they aren't supposed to be on and are not familiarized with the details of the bylaw.
"We already said from the beginning, there's always that few percentages that could make a good thing look bad," said Masse. "There's always someone that misbehaves or breaks the law."
Masse said besides getting the bylaw implemented, the group has also been committed to helping to educate the public on the rules and regulations. The current campaign includes distributing dozens of posters across Chatham-Kent with bylaw information on it. Masse said they did a similar blitz in 2016, but felt it was time for another refresher.
"Even going into our fourth year, it's surprising how many people just are not getting the message of how to find the information or where the information is," he said.
The posters feature a map with the roads that ATVs are allowed to drive on as well as links to where people can find additional information about the bylaw and its rules.
"It has all the small towns and in red [is] where you're not allowed to be," Masse explained. "Such as in Tilbury, it's right downtown on the main street, on Mill Street going through Tilbury. Blenheim would be right in the Downtown Core. So it shows you exactly when you get to these towns, where you're not allowed to be."
Masse said there's a simple way for ATV drivers to remember the rules of the road.
"If it's a dirt road you're allowed. If it's tar and chip, double-check your map. If it's a solid paved road then you're definitely not allowed," he said. "A lot of people from out of the area have been educated... and got to learn how easy it was to understand how it works, especially if they carry the map with them."
Masse said anyone with any further questions about the bylaw can contact the club directly at chathamkentatv@gmail.com.