The Manitoba RCMP is urging you to be extra cautious when operating all-terrain vehicles, utility-terrain-vehicles, and all off-road vehicles.
There were eight off-road vehicle fatalities in 2025. That's up from five in 2024 and three in 2023. There have been multiple deaths reported in 2026, and the majority of cases involved a rollover.
As of May this year, Manitoba Public Insurance said there were 93,913 registered off-road vehicles of various types in the province. Just less than 36,000 are ATVs. In 2025, the RCMP issued 275 tickets for violations under the Off-Road Vehicles Act.
Staff Sgt. Matt Lavallee is with the Prairie Mountain RCMP.
"Last year, we did make an increased presence in the recreational areas. Often, we partner with Manitoba Sustainable Resource Officers. They have the same enforcement powers as we do," said Lavallee. "The combination of teamwork is continuing to grow, as is our presence in these areas, which brings us in contact with more and more people on the trails."
In a UTV that has a roll cage, you must wear your seatbelt, but a helmet isn't required. Lavallee recommends using both.
On all other off-road vehicles, helmets are mandatory.
"Just like seatbelts in motor vehicles," added Lavallee. "And that's for a reason. They have saved lives again and again. Motorcycles, snowmobiles, ATVs, UTVs, they save lives."
As the weather heats up, Matt encourages you to have fun on the trails. And while you do so, do so sober.
According to a recent report by CAA Manitoba, more Manitobans are getting behind the wheel impaired. Whether it be alcohol, cannabis, or any other drug, the need to travel sober is critical.
"The consequences for driving an off-road vehicle impaired are the same as they would be for driving your car impaired," ended Lavallee. "Off-road vehicles are not limited to ATVs. They include UTVs and snowmobiles."
In a day when off-road vehicles have more power than ever before, never let your children drive them unsupervised. It's also illegal for someone under the age of 16 to drive an off-road vehicle unsupervised.
