Riders - Read The Regs

[Dave]

(Southern Region) ATV Operators Cautioned About Riding in Road Ditches (2005-06-10)

Tom Conroy Information Officer DNR Southern Region 261 Hwy 15 South New Ulm MN 56073 507/359-6014 [email protected]

June 9, 2005

For additional information, contact: DNR Southern Region Enforcement Supervisor Capt. Randy Evans, New Ulm; 507-359-6040.

ATV Operators Cautioned About Riding in Road Ditches

Operators of all-terrain vehicles are encouraged to familiarize themselves with laws regarding driving their machines along or on public roads, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) advises.

Capt. Randy Evans, DNR Southern Region Enforcement Supervisor at New Ulm, said his office has been received numerous complaints about illegal ATV operation this spring. The problem has been worsened by persistent rains which have made road ditches even more vulnerable to damage.

"The legislature has passed laws that are very clear on ATVs and road ditches," Evans stated, "and violating them can result in a ticket."

It is illegal to operate an ATV along or on the roadway, shoulder or inside bank or slope of a public road right-of-way. Also, between April 1 and August 1, ATVs cannot be operated within the right-of-way of a trunk, county or county state-aid highway in the agricultural zone of Minnesota.

"Basically, during these four months, you need to stay out of the road ditches completely," Evans said. "This is nesting season for wildlife and those road ditches provide some of the best nesting habitat available in many places."

The only exception is if the ATV is being used exclusively as transportation to and from work on agricultural lands.

Evans said that in addition to damage done to wildlife, ATVs in road ditches can cause erosion problems and even, in some cases, damage the roadbed itself.