Operation of ATV's &
Snowmobiles
This summer has
brought about numerous inquires and complaints involving the use and operation
of All Terrain Vehicles (ATV's), upon the roadway. The State
of
Ohio
ranks
15th in the nation for ATV accidents. Yearly, an estimated 40,000
emergency-room cases are reported nationwide; one third of all injuries are to
children less than 16 years of age. It is my intention, to provide useful
information that will help you understand exactly what the laws are and how to
operate these vehicles safely.
What Ohio
Law Requires:
- ATV's
and snowmobiles operated on lands other than those owned by the operator
or their family are required to be titled, display the registration
number, and the driver is required to posses a valid driver license.
- ATV's
and snowmobiles are required to be equipped with headlights and
taillights.
- No
ATV's or snowmobiles may be operated on any limited access highway or
portion of the highway's right-of-way
- ATV's
or snowmobiles operated on the berms or shoulders
of any roadway may never enter the roadway or interfere with the movement
of vehicular traffic, approaching from any direction. The terrain must
permit such operation to be undertaken safely and without the necessity of
entering any portion of a traffic lane. This action becomes virtually
impossible on
Chester
Township roads, due
to mailboxes, ditches, traffic signs, walkers, joggers and bicycle riders.
- ATV's
and snowmobiles are not permitted to travel on or along private property
without the expressed permission of the individual property owner.
- Chester
Township Officers who observe operators in violation of Ohio laws will take appropriate
enforcement action.
- An
ATV or snowmobile may cross the roadway in a perpendicular fashion, but
the ATV or snowmobile must always yield the right-of-way to all vehicular
traffic.
- ATV's
or snowmobiles may only be operated on the roadways within the county or
township, when the local authority permits it.
Chester
Township and Geauga County
do not permit it.
- Make
sure your vehicle is safety-ready and that you have appropriate training
to operate it.
- It
is recommended to always wear a helmet and recommended riding gear;
including a long sleeve shirt or jacket, long pants, goggles (if the
helmet does not provide face protection), boots, and gloves.
- Check
on the conditions of the trails you will be traveling.
- In
order to operate an ATV or snowmobile on any public land, waters or
highways, operators must hold a current motor vehicle driver or commercial
driver license, motorcycle operator's endorsement or probationary license.
- No
person under 16 years of age can operate an ATV or snowmobile on any land
other than private property unless accompanied by a parent or guardian who
is a licensed driver 18 years of age or older.
Remember that to ride safely &
obey the Laws
Captain Mark A. Purchase
Acting Chief of Police
Chester Twp. Police Department