County considers ATV licensing

Written by Olney Daily Mail

Friday, February 12, 2010

Kevin Ryden

Richland County Board discussed the possibility of creating an ordinance to allow all-terrain vehicles on county roadways during its monthly meeting Thursday.

Attorney Jon Racklin said that as of Jan. 1, local governments can now set their own rules on licensing off-road vehicles and allow them to be operated on local roads. Racklin said he has been approached by many people regarding the issue and is willing to help the county create an ordinance, which he believes could help generate some revenue for the county.

He said the issue would be in implementing something with the county’s nine townships.

Chairman Leo Ledeker said the board had discussed the issue before and was waiting to see what other counties may do and how they would do it.

Racklin said ATVs would have to pass certain safety standards and drivers would have to carry insurance. The vehicles would be allowed on county, city, village and township roads but not state or federal highways.

“Ideally, it would be best for the county to come up with something,” Racklin said, adding that he was willing to do some research for the board.

County Clerk Alice Mullinax said she would contact other county clerks to see if anything has been passed in surrounding counties.

Sheriff Andy Hires said there would be some concerns that Richland County would be the only county to have an ordinance, which could lead to many people to ride ATVs here. He said there were also concerns that the county would end up paying more for damage to roads.

Racklin said he did not think non-residents would come into the county simply to ride ATVs.

County Engineer Dan Colwell said county roads do sustain a lot of damage from ATVs “driving where they shouldn’t go.”

He also said that he purchased an ATV last summer and had to sign a form by the manufacturer that indicates he understands it would not be safe to ride it on roads. If the board were to adopt an ordinance, he said it might be perceived that the county knows better than an ATV manufacturer.

“I think it’s a lawsuit waiting to happen,” he said.

Hires wondered if the issue could be brought before voters during November’s general election.

Racklin said he would get back to the board soon after he does some research.

Source: http://www.olneydailymail.com/news/x1631829117/County-considers-ATV-licensing

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State by State Momentum

Community Voices

“We’ve had success bringing illegal riders to justice by snapping photos of their ID stickers. The problem in California is that they’re too darn small to see from far away or at high speeds. While I’m normally not in favor of the government getting involved in things, requiring all ORVs to have a visible ID with a minimum size and standard location would make them an even better tool for property owners to identify trespassing riders. We should also look to Wyoming’s lead and make trespassing penalties clear so riders think twice before they head off designated trails and onto my land.”

- Mesonika Piecuch, private property owner, Kern County, CA