ATV Florida Forum

I guess now all atv companyies are going have
lawsuits againest otp out each county  new atv state law and if they don't make enough
money off there atv sells then they'll find out.. I guess i have tell Dw about suwannee county opts out new atv law!!  >:(  :(

http://www.suwanneedemocrat.com/siteSearch/apstorysection/local_story_292163617.html

Published: October 19, 2006 04:36 pm             

County opps out of new ATV law

Robert Bridges, Democrat Reporter

A new state law allowing use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on unpaved roads no longer applies in Suwannee County. The County Commission voted to opt out of the law at a chaotic Oct. 17 meeting which saw angry exchanges between those on both sides of the issue.

The new statute, which took effect Oct. 1, changed Florida law to allow ATVs on unpaved public roads with speed limits less than 35 miles per hour. Children would require adult supervision.

A number of residents at the meeting complained of road damage caused by ATVs. They said that riders sometimes purposely damage graded roadways by cutting “doughnuts” into the surface. Others worried that easing restrictions on ATVs would increase the number of injuries and deaths caused by the vehicles. Numerous fatalities and serious injuries have resulted from use of ATVs in Suwannee County in recent years.

Supporters of the new law argued that ATV users were mostly responsible, law-abiding citizens who shouldn’t be punished for the actions of a few.

Commissioner Douglas UDell agreed, suggesting that ATV riders were being unfairly stereotyped. “I have problems with this,” he said, suggesting that viewing all ATV users as potential vandals and troublemakers was no different than judging someone based on his or her religion.

In the end the commissioners voted 4-1 to opt out of the law, with UDell the lone dissenter.

For Commissioner Randy Hatch, the real issue was public safety. “I think less government is best,” he said, “but when you have a public safety issue that is this pronounced” governmental bodies must act.

“Somebody said, ‘This brings families together,’” Hatch said. “It does. To the funeral.”

Commissioner Billy Maxwell called the legislation allowing ATVs on public roads “a disaster waiting to happen.”

The public comment portion of the meeting was marked by jeering, heckling and angry outbursts. Although Commission Chairman Ivie Fowler did on a number of occasions call for order, some citizens returned to the podium numerous times to speak of their feelings about the law. Public comments were drowned out at times by catcalls and booing.

On one side of the issue, concern seemed equally focused on property damage and public safety. Barbara Ceryak made clear her priorities, though. “I don’t want to kill a child in my car,” she said. “I don’t want to live with that no matter whose fault it is.”

George Barthelmes raised the issue of liability in the event of accidents. “What if a kid runs into the side of my pickup truck,” he asked. “What if they get hurt? Am I liable? I don’t want to open that door.”

Diana Doom said a pair of speeding ATVers had recently run over her dog then disappeared into the woods. She said that “it could have been one of my grandchildren” instead of her dog.

On the other side of the issue, Wayne Rutherford pointed out that not all ATV use is recreational. He said he uses his to help with farm work, which sometimes requires him to ride for brief periods on public roads. At which point he was interrupted by a heckler who shouted, “Keep it on your farm.”

Kenneth Dasher echoed Rutherford’s comments about non-recreational ATV use and asked the commission to consider an exemption for agricultural use of the vehicles.

ATV enthusiast Daniel Howard, in one of his three trips to the podium, told commissioners that “it sounds like you’re trying to prove us guilty before we have a chance to prove our innocence.”

"Four-wheelers are not tearing up the roads like you’re being led to believe,” he said. “Suwannee County school buses tear up roads worse than some four-wheelers.”

He asked the board to “let it ride for a while and let us prove our innocence.”

Steven Strickland animatedly told commissioners "I'm a lawbreaker" and had “an arsenal” of ATVs he had often ridden on county roads. However, he said, he never caused property damage when doing so.

Some citizens worried that use of their golf carts and other recreational vehicles might be restricted. However, golf carts are not considered ATVs under Florida law. According to the statute, "'ATV means any motorized off-highway or all-terrain vehicle 50 inches or less in width, having a dry weight of 900 pounds or less, designed to travel on three or more low-pressure tires, having a seat designed to be straddled by the operator and handlebars for steering control, and intended for use by a single operator and with no passenger."

The legislature included the opt-out provision in anticipation of objections from rural counties. So far, Suwannee, Alachua, Columbia and Putnam counties have rejected the law.

Robert Bridges can be reached by calling 386-362-1734 ext. 134 or by e-mail at robert.bridges@gaflnews.com

"Somebody said, ‘This brings families together,’” Hatch said. “It does. To the funeral.”

Thats one of the dumbest comments ever. I wonder if this guy has ever done anything exciting in his life. Everything you do can get you killed. Dumb People.

"George Barthelmes raised the issue of liability in the event of accidents. “What if a kid runs into the side of my pickup truck,” he asked. “What if they get hurt? Am I liable? I don’t want to open that door.”

What if a uninsured motorcycle runs into the side of his truck because motorcycles are not required to have insurance to get a tag and registration either. Also what if someone in a 4,000lb car with just the minimum insurance of P.I.P. runs into his truck. People are stupid.

Im curious why a bigger more developed county like Palm Beach can approve of this legislation ,yet smaller counties such as Collier, Suwanee, Polk etc. choose to opt out .It really doesnt seem logical considering the three counties I mentioned are:(1)More rural, (2) are less populated (3)  overall a safer environment for this kind of activity. Dont get me wrong, Im ok with PB county being on board . It just makes no sense for the other counties not to be inline with the law.

He is right. I mean come on, I am so sick of people whining about atvs killing people and that they are tearing up the land. And I LOVE the little comment about bringing families to the funeral.... Yeah lets review what happened in the accident that killed little billy and also killed everybody else. He had no helmet on, he was on a machine WAY to big and there was somebody on there with him! Gee, HAD to be the quad. Seriously wake up and smell the roses. Like it was said early on in the report, we should not be punished for the actions of a few....!

I'm not really suprised they decided to opt out. When I seen the intial article in the "Democrat" I could tell they had already made their minds up. County cordinator wooley said something to the effect of ATVs are dangerous and if they hit awash out in the road at speeds as low as 5mph they can still throw a rider completely off  ::) Never seen or heard of Baja racing where they race across stuff at 90+mph way way way worse then anything we have here in Suwannee County. Udell seemed to be the only one with half a brain working, kudos to him.

I run a f-250 with 33's on a small 2" lift and only carry PIP. Let me get a hold of the side of dumba$$ truck what then? Hum too bad!                 for him that is.

Well, i saw dirtbikers riders in my area "today" riding around here
and last night i was in lake city on sat night i saw suwanne demcrat newpaper at
s&s store out by cr 252 and i talk to cash reg about it and she read about suwwnnee county opt new atv law and she thinks those commissers the oneis making big deal about it thinks'those people
are retarded over there in suwwnee county the onies opt atv law.Next thing they try ban  farm tractors and horses driving on county roads here.We'll find  out when election day happens then true will happened. Now i know why state wanna put this new law on atvs becuase
they must had alot redneck farmers to have chance ride or sometimes they have work on farm
with atvs such as crop spraying and crossing over on county dirt roads to one side of land to another..

The only bad part about this i feel very sorry all local riders
that lived in this county and they don't have much of town live oak not much things do around here.Lol

My parents have met randy hatch back early 2000 and beg him to build a moive theater here in live oak
and nothing happen and i heard this guy was in vitnam war from rumors around here
and he use to be second sectiry from robinson when he was county commisser 
and he got busted from blocking hidden dirt roads many years ago,
and when randy hatch got voted in and i heard from rumors from live oak back
few years ago randy hatch use to lived in monroe county before he moved to live oak.

Thats, only thing i know so far from history about it!!!

Well, i hope state of florida takes reviewing of this to see about opt countyies in florida
and to have them relook at and media reports in newpapers and look at unpaved roads through out each opt out countyies in florida and i know banned atvs here in suwwnnee county are not going do good here for people here and no matter what they still ride atvs on dirt roads here in middle nowhere and they can't always watch them 24hr's day and 7days week and they got better things to do beside chasing fourwheelers on county dirt roads that'll be nuts doing wasting so much time and our tax dollers on stuff like that. :-\