ATV Penalties (S 3037)

We opposed legislation which would subject to felony penalties any person operating a “recreational vehicle” who does so in a “reckless or negligent manner” and hinders the movement of traffic with at least two other such vehicles.

We argued the penalties contained in this legislation are extremely disproportionate to the offense. While we fully appreciate the conduct that this bill is aimed to punish and are aware of the problems that can be created by swarms of ATV riders affecting traffic, but to make felons out of people for engaging in “negligent” driving – and to do so for conduct engaged in by people who are overwhelmingly young, and often just teenagers – is to impose a lopsided penalty compared to other much more serious driving offenses.