Indiana

The increase in Fort Wayne’s trail network has led to more recreational options for residents, but it has also brought some problems: increased use of motorized vehicles on the paths.

The City Council today is scheduled to discuss an ordinance to prohibit golf carts, scooters and other similar vehicles from the trails. Councilman Marty Bender, R-at large, authored the bill as a way to improve safety for residents using the paths.

Howard Greninger

TERRE HAUTE — Drivers of all terrain vehicles, or ATVs, cannot travel on county roads as the Vigo County board of commissioners on Tuesday unanimously agreed not to enact a county off-road vehicle ordinance.

“We have taken numerous calls [against this] and our concern is the enforcement that it would take if we put an ordinance in. When they buy an ATV, it clearly states that they are off-road vehicles,” Commissioner President Judith Anderson said.

A west Chicago man has been arrested after Van Buren County officers observed him operating an off-road vehicle in an illegal fashion in South Haven Township, the Sheriff's Department reports in a news release

The 39-year-old man was arrested on numerous charges, including resist/oppose police, operating an off-road vehicle while intoxicated, child endangerment, recreational trespassing, no helmet upon an off-road vehicle and no Department of Natural Resources and Environment trail pass permit.

Daniel Riordan

NORTH WEBSTER - North Webster's town board continued discussion Tuesday night of a potential ordinance involving snowmobile and ATV traffic in town.

Currently, the town doesn't allow snowmobiles or ATVs to be driven through town though both the board and residents on hand acknowledged it still takes place.

MUNCIE -- Eric Roberson frequently drives to Brown County State Park to mountain bike on the scenic, roller-coaster-like trails.

If the Muncie Parks Board approves a plan to be presented on Tuesday, Roberson won't have to drive his knobby-tired bike to Brown County, New Castle or Anderson to find a wooded, off-road trail.

With warmer weather comes more outdoor recreational activities and in the past week alone, two young females have lost their lives in all-terrain-vehicle accidents.

Ryan Elijah spoke to Department of Natural Resources officials and also visited Heritage High School where students are grieving the loss of a classmate.

An Orland woman was injured when she was run over by an all-terrain vehicle in her driveway Friday, Orland volunteer firefighters said.

Deputies and paramedics were called just before 5:30 p.m. to a home at 6350 N. Maplecrest Drive in Orland.

Owen County's decision to allow all-terrain vehicles on county roads is raising concerns that drivers won't install safety equipment or obtain proper registrations and insurance required to make them street legal.

Acting against the advice of their attorney, county commissioners in the mostly rural county about 50 miles southwest of Indianapolis recently passed an ordinance allowing the vehicles, called ATVs, on county roads. The law becomes official if the commissioners sign it as planned at their Dec. 21 meeting.

One person is injured and taken to the hospital after he was driving an ATV and hit a deer. The accident happened around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on Darnell School Road in Mt. Vernon. According to a release, the driver of the 4-wheeler, Cory McCune, was traveling home when he collided with the deer. The ATV overturned and McCune was thrown off onto the roadway. A passerby found McCune unconscious and called for help. McCune was taken to Deaconess Hospital where his condition is unknown at this time. Investigators say he was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.