ATV Use on U.S. Roads Is an Increasing Hazard

In July 2017, law enforcement and legislators began working to curtail people who drive off-road vehicles on the streets of Hartford, Connecticut. This comes after a 26-year-old man crashed his all-terrain vehicle into a pole, according to the Hartford Courant. Police say they have been issued an order not to chase such riders, but lawmakers are considering enforcing the use of technology that can disable the vehicles or that use GPS tracking.

The pattern of increased use of ATVs on roads does not only involve breaking the law. Laws passed by the Iowa legislature allow them to cross state highways, at designated intersections. The provision comes with other new laws for motor vehicles, including parked vehicles allowed to have an engine running without someone inside.

Also, a recent town board proposal to allow all-terrain and utility-terrain vehicles to ride on public roads has spurred controversy. In Wisconsin, the Town of Waterford Planning Commission proposed to use town roads to connect different snowmobile and ATV trails. Safety and cost concerned were voiced as well in advance of a final decision.

Warning by the Consumer Federation of America

In its 2014 report, “ATVs on Roadways: A Safety Crisis,” the CFA noted that 35 states allowed all-terrain vehicles to be driven on roadways in certain areas, on limited stretches, or on the shoulder of roads and streets. Between 2004 and 2014, 22 states passed laws to permit and increase the access these vehicles have to public roads. It also cited data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which reported 65 percent of deaths from all-terrain vehicle accidents occur on roadways, 74 percent of those being on paved roads.

According to the CFA, these recreational vehicles are not built for use on roads. They are not in compliance with National Traffic Safety Administration standards because they don’t meet the definition of a motor vehicle. The dangers of using ATVs on roads come from their tendency to tip over. A narrow wheel base and high center of gravity make them unstable during turns, causing tip overs that can cause fatal injuries from blunt impacts or fires and explosions that result from damage to the vehicles. Also, vehicle tires are lower in pressure than standard motor vehicles, making them less stable on road surfaces.

Legal use of ATVs on roads has been opposed by groups such as the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America. It opposed legislation for licensing them for street use, passed in Washington State. The Institute recommends prohibiting such vehicles on any road, street, or highway unless a rider needs to cross it. In addition, the CFA has expressed concern that states restricting use on roads don’t enforce these regulations enough. New Jersey and Massachusetts allow riders to use public roads to access all-terrain vehicle trails. Although there are laws in Mississippi that prohibit road use, there are no means for enforcement against riders who do.

It’s a known fact that all-terrain vehicle accidents happen more often on roads, where they are less safe to operate. Riding on streets and highways increases the risk of crashes, fires, and explosions, so riders should be diligent about following safety protocols.