Complaints about all-terrain vehicle traffic on public roads in Grantsville has led the police department to crack down on riders violating the city’s ordinance.
Grantsville City Police Chief Kevin Turner said the most prominent issue has been residents using ATVs for general transportation, which isn’t permitted under the city code.
“People, including youth, are riding them to the gas station or restaurants or stores,” he said.
The code does permit riding ATVs to access the various trails that connect to the city, Turner said.
No riders under the age of 12 are allowed to drive ATVs within the city limits and those between 12 and 16-years-old must be accompanied by, and under the visual supervision of, an adult. All riders under 18-years-old must also wear a helmet approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Riders must also follow all licensing laws and be certified by the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation.
Turner said the rise in violations has been a recent trend and people have taken more liberties with the ordinance in the past year. If violations continue to be a problem, the ordinance allowing ATV traffic on city streets to access trails could be removed, he said.
The city code is intended to protect riders from potential hazards of road driving, Turner said. Even with a helmet, riders on ATVs don’t wear seatbelts and can be at risk for serious injury, he said.
Those situations only become more dangerous for underage riders who have no experience driving with traffic, Turner said.
Tooele City also has problems with ATV riding on city streets, said Officer Tanya Turnbow in an email. Another common complaint from residents is ATVs riding on private property without permission, she said.
Riders should remember to obey traffic laws and take a rider safety course, Turnbow said. Wherever they’re being driven, it is illegal to drive an ATV while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, she said.
To report illegal ATV activity, contact the Tooele County Dispatch at 435-882-5600.