Bill would stiffen penalties for off-road Dumb asses.

Off-road drivers who damage public or private land would pay stiffer penalties, under a legislative proposal unveiled Thursday. The bill would increase fines, place certain violations on a driver's record and in some cases seize vehicles of those who drive all-terrain vehicles, dirt-bikes and off-road trucks recklessly.

"Responsible ATV riders should support this common sense bill rather than allow our forests and wetlands to be trashed by reckless, lawbreaking riders," said Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville, author of the bill.

The proposal would also create a telephone hotline to report violations, strengthen a damage restoration account, ban snorkels and certain deep-treaded tires, require license plates on the front and back of ATVs, and allow truck driving only on state forest roads, not trails.

The bill has been endorsed by nearly four dozen state conservation and environmental groups, and is expected to have its first Senate committee hearing next month.

Ray Bohn, lobbyist for the state association of ATV clubs, called the proposal a "campaign of intimidation to scare drivers out of the forests." Bohn said that ATV groups will support different legislation, currently being formulated. It will require classroom and hands-on training for all drivers between 12 and 15 years old, and a mandatory computer course on off-road and safety for anyone who violates off-road driving laws and receives a citation.

Star Tribune

 

Suggest you add your voice to what ever local ATV authority is gearing up to address these changes head on. Either by joining an active club, or writing you representatives etc...

 

what works for you down in the cities doesn't necessarily work for us up here in northern minnesota either yes i agree people who use big trucks and stuff that purposely wreck these trails ruins them for all of us but at the same sense we have atv trails that are in jeopardy in state forest area's that the dnr say we are wrecking with atv use and well it is our land for one and it is such a small area for 2 a lil 15 foot wide trail through a big forrest isn't gonna bother anything and the is so much woods that you can't go off the trail anyways and it makes me upset that all the laws that go in effect up here come from down in the cities area where things are wayyyy different

 

I agree weez.

just look @ how a sen/ speaks.

"Responsible ATV riders should support this common sense bill rather than allow our forests and wetlands to be trashed by reckless, lawbreaking riders,"

Now I could up takin this wrong but to me ole John sounds like hes mad here.

I bet ya Mr Sen. John Marty Has not been out of his 500,000 house on lake minnatonka to even look @ a trail in upper MN..

Now I no we might need some stiffer fines for some Boneheads out there.

But wow is there that many reckless, lawbreakers that we need a 24/7 hotline set up to report ppl..

How much $ does that take to run all year????

Thay should use that $ to update the states trail system,education for the youngsters & snack bars on all the trails.......[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

So why not have a local club invite the good congressman for a trail ride, and show him the good the members do for the locals, and the benefit that ATV riding can have on the local economy. Explain to him the recreational dollars lost in revenue to states like WI and effect it has on his constituants...

 

well one thing i really don't agree with in that bill is the seizure of someone's vehicle no matter what they do that is so wrong what gives them the right to take it away i have over 9000 dollars piled into my atv which serves as a useful farm tool as well as recreational fun. in the spring of the year when the cows are calving and there can be 2 feet of mud out there i need a very aggressive atv in the mud yet many people look down upon this saying that it means i am a negative influence on the atv industry. and i have never in my life seen people up here be very wreckless. ok they are worried about atv's rutting up these trails that happen to go into lower area's at times well answer me this this lil 15 foot wide trail causes ruts but what about the 100's of acres of woods they are logging off each year? doesn't that destroy the woods worse then our lil trail? and mr. tim paulenty has been up here alot since being voted in heck i met him and talked to him at my place of employment and he has visited arctic cat and polaris industries a couple times but where is he now when we need him????

 

Like anything, I hope what the bill is aiming for is the <U>ability</U> to take it.. it doesn't mean that the judge WILL take it. It is just like many states where cars are confiscated if they are used in a crime... or guns are taken from poachers... As long as the machine is being operated in a responsible manner, and you are legal, I don't see a problem. I would support some kid getting his quad taken if they are out purposely damaging some guy's cornfields.. I guess it is a matter of intent...

 

it is wrong what some people do on atv's i will be the first to admit it but they can get the same point across with a hefty fine rather then taking away their expensive atv as well and you are right with guns and vehicles being used in a crime such as a robbery or dealing drugs but that is pretty severe circumstances as to what the worst thing someone will do on an atv

 

You know, I am wondering how well it would go over if they mandated the machines be put in mommy or daddy's name, and then they get the fine if junior is caught out doing dastardly deeds... Perhaps they might have to go "Parent" on their a$$ and rein them in a little..

I also like the idea that when convicted, it goes on your driving record.. and maybe it would keep a 16 year old from getting his license when he is eligible... say make him ride his bicycle for 6 months or a year. Nothing hurts a kid worse than to take his ability to get his wheels when he turns 16.

Virginia gives the drivers license to the parents.. not the kids. The parent can pull it at any time.. for no reason... and the court supports that. Great motivator...

 

you are right about a kid and his/her drivers license i would have been lost without mine at such a young age but i had to have mine i got mine at 15 for i got my farmers permit whre i could only go within 20 miles of home for farm purposese only and had to be home before dark but when dad was going strong in the field and needed twine for baling or something that sure came in handy for me to drive to town but in such a small community here i was driving to town when i was 13 learned to drive at 8 and learned to drive stick shift at about 10 or somewhere round there but at that point in time everything revolves around a drivers license good points