Don’t ride your ATV on city streets of Clarksdale unless you want a ticket from the Clarksdale Police Department.
All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) have become a regular sight on city streets and in an effort to keep the city safe and hopefully avert a serious accident, the Clarksdale Police Department is making this a priority this summer.
“We are having trouble with people operating All-Terrain Vehicles on the city streets in a reckless manor causing unsafe conditions for themselves and others,” said Clarksdale Police Chief Robbie Linley. “State Law prohibits the operation of these vehicles on public roadways and public highways.”
Linley stressed that the goal is not writing tickets, but to stop these vehicles before someone gets hurt.
Reports of teenagers riding the vehicles across Clarksdale and even reports of adults with small children in their lap have been spotted speeding down Clarks-dale streets. And in the event of an accident or being hit by a car the results could be tragic.
ATV cannot be insured to ride on a city street and if they are involved in an accident, the ATV operator is liable for damages. Parents who let children operate ATVs on city streets can be held liable for fines and citations.
While ATVs are a part of life for many Mississippians, whether they are used for work or play, riding an ATV can be dangerous. ATV have no safety/turning lights, horn or other safety equipment and most importantly do not have state vehicle tags and therefore cannot be on public roads or property.
The State of Mississippi has recognized this fact and passed regulations to help reduce the number of ATV injuries and fatalities. Unfortunately, many people do not know the laws and incorrectly believe that there is a “gray area” regarding ATV use.
An ATV is “a motorized vehicle manufactured and designed exclusively for off-road use … and [that] travels on three or four or more nonhighway tires.” In other words, ATVs are three-wheelers and four-wheelers. Other examples of off-road vehicles include dirt bikes and side-by-side utility vehicles (UTVs).
The law specifically states:
• No off-road vehicle can be operated on a public road, street or highway.
• No off-road vehicle can be operated on public property, such as a trail, walking path, sidewalk, right-of-way, park or parking lot.
