ATV Florida Forum

Just heard it on the 6'o clock news. It seems that the Clay County sheriff didnt like the new law and plans to appeal it infront of the city council. Then they are going to get the citizens oppions. He already had a meeting with a rual area about this and 30 people showed up and 27 voted in favor of opting out the new law. I guess my local news station doesnt care about the new law because they have the link on their stie for every story they've done for the past 3 weeks except for this one..... Anyway, if anybody knows anymore about this then please post.

channel 4 WJXT interviewed the Sherrif, I am searchine their site for the story
www.new4jax.com  (http://www.new4jax.com)

I was wondering when the meeting was I want to show and give my vote.

Wow, i've searched WJXT's site and Clay Counties site and I cant find anything on this. It seems that they are trying to keep it a secret or something.... ???

You got it on Oct.1 I started looking for info cant find it or who to call.

Try this!!!!!  :)
http://www.jacksonville.com/times-union/moreTimesUnion.shtml



Oh btw,
I found article on here about clay county trying opting out new atv law.
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/102506/met_5799023.shtml


Last modified Tue., October 24, 2006 - 11:57 PM
Originally created Wednesday, October 25, 2006


Clay considers opting out of ATV law


The new state law allows riders on unpaved county-owned roads.


By DAVID HUNT, The Times-Union


GREEN COVE SPRINGS - Cruising down a country road on an all-terrain vehicle may be a short-lived pastime in Clay County.

 
Complaints and accidents
All-terrain vehicles have been the source of a growing workload for Clay County law enforcement authorities, according to Sheriff's Office statistics.

2003 2004 2005 2006

(through Aug. 31)

Complaint calls 412 451 604 409

Citations 35 52 62 43

Accidents 6 7 11 4

 
The County Commission is seeking public comment before deciding whether to override a recent state law allowing riders on unpaved county-owned roads.

The law, which went into effect Oct. 1, restricts riders to daylight hours and to a top speed of 35 mph. But it allows a county to opt out. Putnam, Citrus, Collier, Columbia, Hernando and Pasco counties already have done so.

"We heard from a couple of people, including the sheriff, about it," Commissioner George Bush said Tuesday. "It's a road maintenance and safety issue."

Sheriff Rick Beseler said the law was poorly written and creates a dangerous environment for riders and rural residents alike.

"We have a tremendous problem already with people complaining about the use of ATVs tearing up the road," he said.

The law does not clearly define a driving age, Beseler said.

"It would put more underage children on ATVs on the road with automobiles, which is a recipe for disaster," he said.

Armed with numbers showing a rise in accidents and reckless riding complaints, Beseler asked the commission Tuesday to craft an ordinance making street all-terrain vehicle use illegal again.

Laura Lee, who with her husband owns Lee's Cycle Center in Middleburg, said she can see the sheriff's concerns but thinks overriding the law punishes responsible riders.

"I think it's a great idea. Florida does not have a lot of places people can ride, unlike other states," Lee said. "Give the kids something to do. It's a great sport."

Bush said a public hearing will be scheduled next month.

david.hunt@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4025

i called the county comissioners office and they told me they have no idea about it and i asked a cop that was sitting outside my yard clocking speeders and he played dumb too.   something aint right about this

The county commisioner said the meeting is held either 2nd week and 4th week of next month but cant tell me which day that the atv law is going to be heard. She said call 2 days before a meeting to fine out and the meetings start at 2pm.