Virginia

Recent Legislative Action

2009

SB803: Extends laws on ATVs to off-road dirtbikes, including banning on paved roads, prohibitions on private property tresspass, and rider age restrictions (2/10/09: Left in Transportation Committee)

2008

HB460 - Extends ORV laws to include off-road dirt bikes, including age-appropriate vehicle size and private property protections (2/12/08: Sent to House Transportation Committee)

2007

SB1398: Allows any locality to make it a Class 4 misdemeanor to operate an ORV within 500 feet of any household or dwelling (1/19/07: Passed by Senate Local Government Committee)

Community Voices Demand Action in Virginia

Virginians are increasingly voicing their concerns about a growing contingent of reckless riders who break the law, damage public and private land, injure themselves and others, and ruin hunting, fishing and hiking experiences for the rest of us.

• "We are committed to stopping this [ORV] abuse of the national forest and we intend to make those convicted pay to repair the damage. -- John Price, USFS Law Enforcement Officer, USFS Press Release (3/25/09)

• "I can't open my windows because the dust will get into my home, and now is the time of year that people like to open their windows at night." -- Perry Lynch, 21-year resident of southeastern Chesterfield County, "A 'balance of rights'; Chesterfield considers ways to control privately owned dirt tracks", Richmond Times Dispatch (10/7/07)

• "George Washington and Jefferson National Forests officials are right to crack down on free-wheeling scofflaws who illegally ride on federal land, particularly when the Forest Service has taken steps to accommodate all-terrain vehicles and off-road motorcycles with designated trails." -- Editorial Board, "A Welcome Crackdown on ATVs in the Forests", Roanoke Times (1/14/07)

• "We're just going to start taking them...when your $3,000 or $4,000 or $6,000 machine turns up missing and you come to the National Forest Service looking for it, we'll be happy to see that you get it back. But not until you've gotten your ticket." -- Captain Woody Lipps, George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, "National Park Police take aim at ATVs, trail bikes", Associated Press (1/14/07)

• "Hunters, hikers and citizens of Giles County are quite upset about the high level of abuse that is occurring on public land." -- Teddy Millins, Forest Service Officer with George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, "Forest ATV riders charged: Twelve accused of riding in national forest in Giles County", Richmond Times-Dispatch (1/11/07)

• "There are just more of them out there. They're fun...[but] unfortunately, many people don't realize just how dangerous they can be." -- Dr. Julie Haizlip, UVA Physician, "SAX player for DMB injured in ATV wreck", Daily Progress (7/2/08)

Examples Recent ORV-Related Law Enforcement Activity

Source: United States Forest Service

2007

• George Washington/Jefferson NF's - In late September, an LEO encountered an ATV along an NFS road on the Pedlar RD. The ATV rider drove off-road to avoid the LEO. The LEO followed the ATV on foot and arrested the operator. The operator was recently convicted in US Magistrate Court on several violations including operating an ATV on an NFS road and failing to stop a vehicle when directed. He was sentenced to serve 45 days in jail, pay a $500 fine, and serve 1 year of supervised probation.

Recent ORV-Related Media Coverage