Safe And Legal Operation Of ATVs

Certificate of Ownership Section 301.703, RSMo., states it is unlawful for any person to own an ATV in this state unless a certificate of ownership (title) has been issued by the Department of Revenue. Application for a certificate of ownership must be made within 30 days after the owner acquires the ATV.

Operation

Section 304.013, RSMo., states no person shall operate an ATV upon the highways of Missouri unless the ATV is owned and operated by the government for official use, or operated for agricultural use between the hours of sunrise and sunset. Governing bodies may issue special use permits to licensed drivers for special use within city limits or on county roads.

Anyone operating an ATV on a highway must have a valid operator's license. All ATVs must be operated at speeds less than 30 miles per hour. (“Highway” is defined as any road open to the public, including dirt and gravel roads.)

No person shall operate an ATV on private property without the consent of the owner. When on someone else's property, an ATV operator must stop and identify himself or herself upon request of the landowner, and, if requested by the landowner, shall remove the ATV from the premises.

No person can operate an ATV in any stream or river in Missouri unless the waterway is within the boundaries of land owned by the operator or permission for the operator to ride has been granted by the property's owner.

Railroad tracks and the property on which they lie are private property. Anyone riding and ATV on the tracks or the area around them is committing a crime.

No person under the age of 16 shall operate an ATV in Missouri unless he or she is accompanied by or under the direct supervision of a parent or guardian, or is accompanied by an adult who is authorized by the parent or guardian. (This does not apply on private property owned by the parent or guardian of such person operating the all-terrain vehicle.)

No person shall operate an ATV:

In a careless manner so as to endanger the person or property of another.

While under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance.

Without a securely fastened safety helmet, unless at least age 18. The Patrol recommends that everyone, regardless of age, wear protective headgear.

With a passenger, except for agricultural purposes.

Required Safety Equipment

Section 307.198, RSMo., requires every ATV, except those used in competitive events, to have the following equipment:

A lighted head lamp and tail lamp when the ATV is operated on any street or highway;

A slow-moving equipment emblem mounted on the rear of the ATV when being operated on any street or highway;

A bicycle flag, extending at least seven feet above the ground, must be attached to the rear of the ATV when operating on any street or highway;

An adequate muffler system;

A U.S. Forest Service-qualified spark arrester; and,

A brake system in good operating condition.

Fourteen people were killed and 191 were injured in Missouri traffic crashes involving ATVs in 2006. It is the responsibility of the parents to make sure their children are prepared mentally and physically to drive an ATV, and the Patrol recommends all young or inexperienced riders attend a certified ATV safety class. As with operating any motor vehicle, safety should come first.

To view the Patrol's ATV brochure and many others, please visit the Missouri State Highway Patrol's web site at www.mshp.dps.mo.gov and click on the publications icon.

Source: http://www.moberlymonitor.com/articles/2007/08/10/news/news4.txt

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