Nine people have died in off-road vehicle incidents so far this year, and OPP are asking people to be more safety conscious.
It is the highest number of ATV deaths this early in the season since 2009, with one person dying in April, seven in May and one so far in June.
Police say alcohol was involved in five incidents, speed was a factor in three, and five of the people who died were not wearing helmets.
In 2014, there had been only one fatality in the OPP's jurisdiction by this time of year.
In the most recent incident, a nine-year-old boy died after an ATV rolled over on Sunday afternoon in Burnt River, near Peterborough, Ont.
Chief Supt. Chuck Cox, commander of the OPP Highway Safety Division, said in a statement, “This spike in fatalities serves as a harsh reminder that unsafe off-roading keeps costing riders of all ages their lives, leaving families devastated and struggling to understand why their loved ones did not stay safe while out riding."
With many months remaining in the off-roading season, the OPP is urging riders to wear a helmet every time, regardless of how short a ride they have planned.
Riders are also reminded that alcohol and drugs should not be involved while riding and speed should be kept under control.
