ATV Florida Forum

Florida counties opt out of law allowing ATVs on unpaved roads

the associated press
Posted October 2 2006

 
GAINESVILLE · A state law that opened up many unpaved roads to all-terrain vehicle enthusiasts Sunday is getting a chilly reception in several counties outside South Florida.

Commissioners in Citrus, Collier, Columbia, Hernando, Pasco and Putnam counties have passed ordinances opting out of the new state law that allows ATVs on unpaved roads with speed limits under 35 mph.

 

LocalLinks
 
Alachua and Suwannee counties are considering similar bans.

Officials cite safety, residential complaints, law enforcement problems and property damage among the reasons for sticking with a prior state law that kept ATVs on private land or public tracks and off roads and highways.

"It's a shame that we have to penalize the majority for just a few, but we felt like it was in the best interest of the community to pass on the ordinance," Columbia County Sheriff Bill Gootee said. "We felt like we had enough problems with ATVs without adding more to the dirt roads."

Hernando County authorities cited three ATV deaths in August among the reasons they decided to keep the vehicles off dirt roads. Hernando County Sheriff Richard Nugent didn't like the idea of 800-pound ATVs sharing the road with 5,000-pound trucks.

"Not a good match," Nugent said in August.

Hernando County resident Clarence McCandless opposed the county's restrictions. He said keeping ATVs off dirt roads does nothing to prevent accidents.

"You're penalizing all of the ATV users, safe and not safe," McCandless said.

Some rural residents applauded the continued restrictions.

"We are terrified regularly by people on ATVs who don't even live in our neighborhood," said Alachua County resident Janice Henley. "They race really fast. They don't care about the speed. They've scared my 83-year-old mother half to death."

The new law was meant to promote ATV safety, said state Rep. Greg Evers, R-Milton. He said it encourages riders to stay on rural instead of paved streets and requires adults to supervise children's ATV use.

But Putnam County Sheriff Dean Kelly said the law is "poorly written" and does not define what constitutes proper supervision.

He said officers will have a difficult time with enforcement.
Thanks to the sun-sentinel
 

that sucks. does anyone know about brevard?

I hate this quote. The thing is, only the unresponsible riders tend to do this, and most of the responsible ones that could show what real ATVers are like follow the rules and stay off the streets. There are just as many if not MANY more people driving cars and motorcycles at rediculous speeds racing and nobody thinks "Hey, cars and motorcycles just can't be safe if people do that. We need to ban these cars before more people get hurt and die." No, they only thing that about ATVs, instead they think about cars in this way: "Well, there's too many people that are responsible drivers to ban them." We were just never given the chance for the responsible riders to show up, and now we have that chance. We were riding around the acreage today and didn't even see any cops actually..

I thought it was kind of unfair that they let that comment out from one lady, and nothing positive from anyone else;as if they went looking for someone with something good to say about us.

Some guy on TV this morning said that he sees ATVs do donuts on the pavement now as it is. I'm sorry but you cannot do a donut on most of the quads I see. Thats the dumbest comment I heard but it sounds good to the commissioners.

Sounds like wasting a set of tires to me  :dunno.gif   

thats stupid every hobby has idiots that participate in it  >:(

I live in Jupiter Farms and we did not see any cops either or anyone misbehaving.  It was wonderful!

anyone know here in boca raton... palm beach county?

people with jets skis get frowned upon just like atv'rs .brought my skis to the keys and many public boat launches will not let you put in becouse jet ski'ers cause trouble.I guess there is no room in this world for people like you and me that love power sports. >:(

What kind of ski's do you have? I am looking to make friends with someone who has jet skis. It's much cheaper than me buying my own.

I know lots of strippers, if that helps me get to the front of the list.

Also, if anyone has a private jet, I am accepting applications for frienship with someone who has one of those.

I have a 98 sea-doo spx and a polaris sl650 but I dont know about your strippers ,I've heard stories that some only have one leg and others are very hairy and have masculin bodies .But I tell ya what send me some pictures and I'll be the judge if their really hot and ready I might just give ya the ski's.

Now ther you go scaring the 83 yr. old lady some more...fornicators!

Oh sorry, I'm actually looking for a friend with the new GSX.

But I'll keep you in mind if I can't find a suitable candidate.

Palm beach county is still good it seems. I'm really enjoying the new law but have to say I see plenty of people driving long wheelies down paved roads still with loud as HECK exhausts. Anyone else been enjoying this law please comment.

HAHAHA.. you make the funniest posts

i don't live in brevard but here is the link so you can find out about your county!
http://countygovt.brevard.fl.us/commission/

Remember no what the law is, people will still break it.