Officials: ATV riders need to stay off public streets

Jon Szerlag

All Terrain Vehicles (ATV) riders are starting to come out with the warming weather, but there are rules that have to be followed.

ATVs are not allowed on any public street, and are only allowed on private property with the owner’s permission. ATVs are also not allowed to run on the sides of the roads.

“The ATVs are off-road vehicles, and as long as they are on private property and they have permission, or it has to be in a designated area (for in the public),” said Ionia County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Roger Vander Molen. “They can be ticketed.”

If the rider is on private property without consent, it could be considered trespassing.

“It would be trespassing, and it is a jailable offense,” said Vander Molen. “They could realistically go to jail.”

If damage is done to the property while riding an ATV, the operator could face felony charges — depending on the damage.

Damage totaling over $1,000 could be a five-year felony of malicious destruction property, and anything over $20,000 would be a 10-year felony.

“It all depends on what they are doing, and if they do damage they would not only be trespassing, but malicious destruction of property as well,” said Vander Molen. “If they are going through a wheat field or corn field it could be a felony with (time), fines and a possibility of cost of damages.”

ATVs that are on city roads could also face the possibility of having their vehicle taken away.

“Their vehicle could be impounded for operating on a city road,” said Ionia Department of Public Safety Lieutenant Troy Thomas.

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Source: http://www.sentinel-standard.com/homepage/x289812093/Officials-ATV-riders-need-to-stay-off-public-streets

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