(Franklin County, Ind.) - Riding ATVs and golf carts on county roads will soon be legal in Franklin County.
After months of discussion and changes, Franklin County Commissioners on Monday approved an ordinance opening up the county roads to those types of off-road vehicles, the Brookville American-Democrat reports. The vote was unanimous among the three commissioners.
The ordinance comes in spite of Franklin County Sheriff Ken Murphy’s wishes. He has said he supports ATV use in farming activities, but has concern for public safety and says the ordinance will be impossible to enforce because the sheriff’s department doesn’t have enough manpower. The sheriff said county roads are not built to become public playgrounds for off-road vehicles.
Under the ordinance that goes into effect September 1, ATVs and golf carts must have a county registration sticker, be insured, have head and tail lights, and the operator must be at least 18-years-old. Golf carts must be equipped with slow moving vehicle triangles.
The ordinance only covers county roads, not state highways or streets in the Town of Brookville which will continue to prohibit off-road vehicles.
SHOULD OFF-ROAD VEHICLES SHOULD BE BANNED FROM COUNTY ROADS, CITY STREETS, OR STATE HIGHWAYS? TELL US ON EAGLE 99.3'S FACEBOOK PAGE.
The registration sticker – which must be renewed every two years – will be offered for free, the American-Democrat reports. They can be requested at the county commissioner’s office at the Franklin County Government Center in Brookville with the proper information, such as VIN number, proof of insurance, and the owner’s address and phone number.
People using their ATV or golf cart for agricultural use are largely exempt from the ordinance.
Despite requests from some citizens, no county roads are exempt.
Those caught violating the ordinance will be subject to a $100 fine on the first violation. A second violation will raise the fine to $250 plus a 60-day suspension from using ATVs and gold carts on county roads. A third infraction will bring a $500 fine along with a lifetime suspension.
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