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CHANGES IN IOWA'S ATV LAWS GO INTO EFFECT
Code changed to recognize differences
between snowmobiles, new ditch riding rules, and a fee
change
New All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) laws for Iowa went into effect
on July 1. Recent
legislation has split the snowmobile and ATV code into
separate code sections.
Originally, ATVs were handled much like snowmobiles, even
having the same
definition. As ATV numbers increased, the code has changed
to recognize the differences
between the machines and their recreational uses. By
splitting the code it
should be easier for users of snowmobiles and ATVs to
understand the rules which
apply to their recreational activity.
The legislation removes ATV's from
public highways under all but two
conditions. ATVs may be operated in the ditch area on routes
designated by the county
and ATVs involved in incidental farm use may be operated on
the highway.
INPUT FROM LOCAL
PROPERTY OWNERS AND CITIZENS
ATVs may be operated on the road or
ditch area on a route approved by the
county Board of Supervisors or Department of Transportation.
This process assures
input from local property owners and concerned citizens.
Snowmobile routes
have been successfully established in this manner for more
than 30 years. It
will be important for ATV enthusiasts to organize and
present a comprehensive
trail plan for local governments and landowners to consider.
In the past, registered ATVs
could run in most road ditches, with or without
snow cover. However, environmental damage has been reported
across the state.
ATV use has disturbed bird and other wildlife nesting and
rearing areas. The
Iowa Off-Highway Vehicle Association has recognized that
having ATVs operating
in ditches has been damaging our natural resources and has
favored banning
most ditch riding.
AG OPERATORS OK
ATVs being used for agricultural
purposes may still be operated on a public
highway between sunrise and sunset. The operator must have a
valid driver's
license and the ATV must be operated at a speed of less that
35 mph.
The new legislation provides
for an annual registration for ATVs and
snowmobiles. Registrations expire at midnight December 31.
The registration fee was
increased to $15 each year, which is an increase of $2.50
per year.
MONEY EASIER TO MANAGE
The annual registration make it
easier to manage money flow into the ATV and
snowmobile programs. Money flow will be flat, easier to
predict and budget
for, making it easier to take advantage of federal funding
opportunities. The
additional revenue will be used to improve and expand the
existing trail and ATV
recreation areas. Under the National Recreational Trails
program the state
receives $8 for every $2 provided by registration revenue.
Additional funds will also be used to
implement a electronic registration
system, similar to the system currently used to sell fishing
and hunting
licenses. This would allow snowmobiles and ATV owners to
renew registrations at over
900 locations, on weekends and at night. Non-resident
riders, from states which
don't require registration, will be able to register their
machines
electronically at any location that currently sells hunting
and fishing licenses.
ACCIDENT REPORT CHANGED
Another result of the
legislation is to change the mandatory accident
reporting to $1,000 or more in value. This will be mean
there will be less paperwork
for operators involved in minor accidents and allow officers
to spend less
time on minor reports and concentrate on law enforcement or
safety education.
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