Ohio Troopers Flatten ATVs To Encourage Safe Riding

All-terrain vehicle lovers take note: don't break the law or you could lose your ride.

Anyone convicted of a felony related to ATV riding can have their vehicle confiscated by the Ohio State Highway Patrol and subsequently destroyed.Wednesday, troopers at a salvage yard watched as another ATV was crushed.

Lt. Jeff Laroche said the vehicle's owner crashed the ATV while trying to make a U-turn in Guernsey County.

"(ATVs) are prohibited from being on the highway, let alone in this case itself, there was alcohol involved," Laroche said, adding the owner was charged with a third-offense OVI.

Troopers said they're sending a strong message: if riders decide to break the law and are convicted of a felony, police have the choice to destroy their ATV as punishment.

This year alone, the Cambridge post has dealt with 23 injury crashes involving ATVs on the highway. Of all the cases, just one person was wearing a helmet.

"We're not going to tolerate drinking and driving, let alone ATVs on the highway," he said.With Labor Day weekend approaching, troopers said they'll be watching even more closely."Large groups of people gather to ride ATVs. We just want to make sure they use them for what they're made for," he said.

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Source: http://www.wtov9.com/news/20691766/detail.html

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