Palm Beach County Opt Out & ATV Ordinance Information

[JackL]

JackL,
Horses are allowed on the roadways, shoulder and sidewalks. While swales aren't mentioned, they are considered part of the right-of-way. The laws applicable to vehicles and pedestrians also apply to them. As horses were a primary mode of transportation at one time, history has granted them roadway access.

316.073  Applicability to animals and animal-drawn vehicles.--Every person driving an animal-drawn vehicle upon a roadway is subject to the provisions of this chapter applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except those provisions of this chapter which by their nature can have no application. The provisions of this chapter applicable to pedestrians, with the exception of s. 316.130(3), apply to any person riding or leading an animal upon a roadway or the shoulder thereof.

316.0825  Vehicle approaching an animal.--Every person operating a motor vehicle shall use reasonable care when approaching or passing a person who is riding or leading an animal upon a roadway or the shoulder thereof, and shall not intentionally startle or injure such an animal. A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation as provided in chapter 318. $120.50 fine 3 points

Wow, looks like you guys in WPB need to trade your quads in for horses!!

This also illustrates why this rally is important, as well as the ATV association. We have more riders than they do!!
I'll bet we have deeper pockets as well.

[backinsaddle]

I'll bet we have deeper pockets as well.

I don't know about that, those horse people have DEEP pockets.  But I have often made the analogy that atv's are just 21st century horses

[JackL]

I'll bet we have deeper pockets as well.

I don't know about that, those horse people have DEEP pockets.  But I have often made the analogy that atv's are just 21st century horses

I'll bet we out number them by 5 to 1, even if we have less $$ personally (debatable), we have more overall...I hope anyway. Not to mention, a few own both.

I'll tell ya, a few horse trails in my neighborhood I would like to putt around on, but would never dare. Much better to stay on the swale and sidewalk. NOTE: Davie here, NOT WPB!!!

[backinsaddle]

a few horse trails in my neighborhood I would like to putt around on, but would never dare.

I know which ones you're referring to

[AintSkeered]

PBSO, despite any of my comments, I absolutely respect you and your efforts to educate us. I'm envious of your patience with taking our grief while still trying to keep us informed. But, just because those noise ordinances, trespassing ordinances and all other traffic ordinances currently on the books aren't adequately enforced, doesn't mean we need a new catch-22 law which applies only to ATVs. If that's so, why don't we create a similar catch-22 law against all noisy, trespassing, traffic law violators in cars/trucks/golf carts, etc.  because we can't effectively enforce our traffic laws? I guess in today's world, someone will have to slip on horse doo or be startled by a horse's squeal, injure themselves and sue the county to be protected from horses.

[sbripple]

pbso dispite my comments I feel pbso are a gang of extortionists and criminals.Easily bribed and good at extorting the same.Bradshaw is a girl thingy and all his deputies get free rein to run roughshod all over the county extorting free stuff and special favors.You act so innocent when it was the sherriffs department that pushed hard for the atv ban.

[Tripyn]

And yet another intelligent post-

Hey Sbripple-I know this is a public forum and we are all assumed to be adults; well the BIG people need to talk for a while.  Now go back to your sandbox and play nice with the other kids; we will call you when it is time to come back in!

[sbripple]

tripyn you need to behave and stop the personal attacks.I dont need anyone to tell me when to speak,especially a person of your limited mental capacity.I will speak when and how I feel inclined.Your approval is neither required or asked for.

[PBSO_ATV_Deputy_4]

Thanks for the support AintSkeered and Tripyn, But please don't waste your time mixing words with sbripple. After all, he has it all figured out. Life just wouldn't be the same if such a person didn't exist somewhere in the family tree or at the workplace. What's worse, is he is 100% correct about everything. My price: a Starbucks Caramel Apple Cider.....Unless you have one for me when stopped, I tow your quad and issue a $500 fine.....

[2strokinIt]

burned!!

[papahouse]

I disagree with the comment "horses and ATVs do not mix" having raised and trained horses all my life. It is not the ATV that scares the horse but rather the inconsiderate fool operating it. I used ATVs to pull roping dummy sleds for training rope horses with no problems. The problems come when someone on an ATV comes racing up on a horse with loud exhaust. If the driver would slow down or stop and let the horse and rider pass there would not be the problems plus the ATV'er would be viewed as a considerate person and help change the image of ATV'ers.

[PBSO_ATV_Deputy_4]

Papahouse,
In a perfect world, you are 100% correct. Any time I encounter a horse while patrolling on the ATV, I pull to the side, park and shut off the engine. Not once have I had a negative interaction with the horse or rider. I often see trainers using golfcarts or ATVs to exercise the horses. The problems arise in equestrian areas when ATVs ride on narrow horse trails or roadways. We've had ATV/horse collisions, riders thrown, injuries and numerous complaints. At times, it seems like it's "Horses vs. Horsepower" around here. If everyone was courteous and gave the right-of-way to an approaching horse, my comment would be completely wrong. Sadly this is not always the case. I've attended several equestrian meetings to address ATV issues and got hammered about the lack of enforcement.

[papahouse]

Deputy

You sound like someone with common sense which a lot of individuals lack. I know the riders in my area of the farms always say thanks when I pull over and stop. But in todays world most people do not show any, all are to busy thinking of only our selves.

[JackL]

Papahouse,
In a perfect world, you are 100% correct. Any time I encounter a horse while patrolling on the ATV, I pull to the side, park and shut off the engine. Not once have I had a negative interaction with the horse or rider. I often see trainers using golfcarts or ATVs to exercise the horses. The problems arise in equestrian areas when ATVs ride on narrow horse trails or roadways. We've had ATV/horse collisions, riders thrown, injuries and numerous complaints. At times, it seems like it's "Horses vs. Horsepower" around here. If everyone was courteous and gave the right-of-way to an approaching horse, my comment would be completely wrong. Sadly this is not always the case. I've attended several equestrian meetings to address ATV issues and got hammered about the lack of enforcement.

This illustrates perfectly why we need a statewide ATV association. When is the last time a deputy got hammered by an organized group of off roaders? The Broward Airboat guys have been known to have a little kick...

[sbripple]

Thanks for the support AintSkeered and Tripyn, But please don't waste your time mixing words with sbripple. After all, he has it all figured out. Life just wouldn't be the same if such a person didn't exist somewhere in the family tree or at the workplace. What's worse, is he is 100% correct about everything. My price: a Starbucks Caramel Apple Cider.....Unless you have one for me when stopped, I tow your quad and issue a $500 fine.....

Ok  so thats yer price?An overpriced cup of some flavored juice?Ok I will swap you the fag drink for one get out of jail free card.Get the get out of jail card ready and I will get a gift card from the gay coffee house.Lets arrange the pay off soon.

[renmus]

sbdribble, what a rebel you are.  You will be the first one screaming like a 12 yr old girl for PBSO's help when you need it. 

[sbripple]

never gonna happen.

[JackL]

sbdribble, what a rebel you are.  You will be the first one screaming like a 12 yr old girl for PBSO's help when you need it. 

B I N G O

[dirtycruiser]

Where can I go to find out if our local towns/cities have opped out of the ATV ordinance? I was driving my Toyota FJ Cruiser with my enclosed trailer in tow on a state dirt road when two local sherrifs coming from the oppisite direction turned on their lights for me to stop.
  Was this a legal stop? Are they abusing their power? Are they harrassing people on back roads?
  They asked me what I was doing there? ? It's a legal, state road, just dirt not paved, and I was in a registered , licensed truck with a licensed trailer.
  What would have happened if I did not stop? How about if I replied, I'm driving on a state road, something wrong? I did nothing wrong, probably going about 10 mph under the speed limit since the road had quite a few whoops in it.   Are we required to stop in a situation like this? If not and depending on their mood, they could make up a charge, correct?
  Luckily I was searching for real estate in the area and had some paperwork to backup my story.

[kawGIRL]

Where can I go to find out if our local towns/cities have opped out of the ATV ordinance? I was driving my Toyota FJ Cruiser with my enclosed trailer in tow on a state dirt road when two local sherrifs coming from the oppisite direction turned on their lights for me to stop.
  Was this a legal stop? Are they abusing their power? Are they harrassing people on back roads?
  They asked me what I was doing there? ? It's a legal, state road, just dirt not paved, and I was in a registered , licensed truck with a licensed trailer.
  What would have happened if I did not stop? How about if I replied, I'm driving on a state road, something wrong? I did nothing wrong, probably going about 10 mph under the speed limit since the road had quite a few whoops in it.   Are we required to stop in a situation like this? If not and depending on their mood, they could make up a charge, correct?
  Luckily I was searching for real estate in the area and had some paperwork to backup my story.

I would thing it would be none of their business unless you were on a dead end road with No Tresspassing signs or driving carelessly.

[sbripple]

sbdribble, what a rebel you are.  You will be the first one screaming like a 12 yr old girl for PBSO's help when you need it. 

B I N G O

what does bingo mean?  I will never and have never called pbso for assistance.There are no circunstances that I can imagine that would motivate me to call those gangsters.You guys are dogpilers.Always ready to jump in with the mob mentality.lemings.

[cheropride]

My point of view on this issue, is that a few bad apples ruin it for everyone.

But here is a thought.  Let's take a look at some of the people who have driver licenses, being from South Florida I can surely attest to the fact that they must of gotten them out of a cracker jack box.  There must be some of the worst, and most rude drivers in this part of State.  But you know what the laws are inacted to punish these drivers, whereas if they keep it up, they will lose their licenses.  Why then can't laws be passed for people operating atv's.  Say something like this.

*Any driver under 16 must be accompanied by an adult license driver.
*If the ATV rider is riding on an unpaved county road, and is traveling above the required speed limit for an atv (say 10 mph), is punishable by a ticket on their driver license.
*Just like when we drive, with x-amount of points, you lose your license.
*Danagerous riding and recklessness, is punished more severly, and pending on the type of incident, subjust to lose of license, and impounding of vehicle.

Now doesn't a law like that make more sense, then punishing every rider.  When I used to have horses, we used to atv's all the time to move hay and feed, to move loads of dirt, all kind of reasons.  And sometimes, depending on the area, that meant crossing and or driving down a dirt road. 

I just feel the laws should really hold the individual responsible, not everyone, that is not just and fair consideration, and isn't that what our laws are suppose to be. Fair, just and reasonable.

Also lets remember, the deputy did not enact these laws, he is just sharing what the current law is.  He is not where the fight is, it is with our Local, County, and State Goverment.....

[JackL]

sbdribble, what a rebel you are.  You will be the first one screaming like a 12 yr old girl for PBSO's help when you need it. 

B I N G O

what does bingo mean?  I will never and have never called pbso for assistance.There are no circunstances that I can imagine that would motivate me to call those gangsters.You guys are dogpilers.Always ready to jump in with the mob mentality.lemings.

Look my friend. I feel the same way as you, i will never call them for a problem of mine either.

That said, I respect and honor these men and women, and you hate them. Why? I have no idea, but they deal with scumbags and the worst of society every day, that alone gives me great respect for them. How they don't taser every third person is beyond me.

"are no circunstances that I can imagine that would motivate me to call those gangsters."

How about a terrible car crash, a fire on a house with bars on the windows. A crashed quad with a seriously injured rider. Dummy, they are there to protect and serve the public and they do it well. If they weren't there, it would be anarchy worse than you find in any inner city.

You need to stop hating the police. I'm sorry, your life will be much better for it. This isn't any lemming speaking or mob mentality, it is years of experience. Law enforcement officers are just people, and above average at that since they choose to put their lives on the line for others.

[sbripple]

thats yer fantasy not mine

[JackL]

thats yer fantasy not mine

It is reality. Anyone who knows me says I am the best one to deal with them, always...even if I am drunk.
It is because I respect and honor what they do. Do what you want.