ATV riding not always just a fun. Sometimes Side by Side ATV (all terrain vehicle) is used to drive on public streets and roads. Then there is a question, is it ATV street legal or not? Actually not only SxS ATVs but single driver vehicle as well. Side by Side ATV can carry two or more people like some golf carts but is more faster and go off road almost everywhere.
Here is what PLEASANT VIEW city Police Chief Scott Jackson thinking about it.
“The ATV must be street legal and the driver must have a drivers license. Some of the requirements for the ATV to be street legal is that it be registered, licensed and insured. It also will need to have a lighted speedometer, side view mirrors, brake lights, head lights and a horn. Some type of eye protection must also be worn, or the ATV needs to have a windshield.
Police Chief Scott Jackson said those riding ATVs on city streets must abide by all traffic laws, beside the ATV meeting the requirements to be street legal.
“As it is advertised, this does not open the roads to just anyone who wants to jump on an ATV and ride on the road,” said Mayor Doug Clifford. “It’s really quite restrictive. You cannot just hop on dad’s rig and ride it around town.”
“How are we going to enforce this if we pass this ordinance?” asked Councilman Todd Walker, “Everybody thinks they can just go out and start riding.”
“The police department will have to observe it,” said Councilman Tim Hjorten. “I do have some concerns with kids racing around with them. We have laws in place, speed limit laws. My major concern is the visibility of these vehicles in front of our gravel haulers, but it is also a personal responsibility.”
Hjorten said those who drive other vehicles, motorcycles and bicycles also have to take personal responsibility.
“With the limitations we have, I think we are OK,” said Hjorten. “If there is an issue with a group racing around, then we call the police and have it taken care of.”
“They would get the exact same citation as in a vehicle or motorcycle,” said Jackson. He said a speeding ticket is $99 for five miles per hour over the speed limit and goes up from there.
“There may be a learning curve for some people,” said Clifford.
Allen asked what kind of citation people would receive if the ATV were not street legal.
Jackson said it would be an equipment citation the same as someone might receive if their turn signal were not working.
“We have to step away from the recreational vision we have of those types of vehicles,” said Jackson. “We place them on the street they will be slowing to a stop, not gunning through the sand dunes.”
I spent some time in Europe in Finland and Latvia. In those countries, ATVs and snowmobiles are very popular. All ATV and snowmobile drivers have to carry driver’s license and vehicles have to be equipped the same way as motorcycles. No one even argue against it.
Let drive safely and everyone will enjoy riding ATV or snowmobile.
My friend in Latvia have a Side by Side Polaris ATV and we go for hunting in deep forest where no way to go even by ordinary off road vehicle.
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