By William Moore
Daily Journal
SHANNON – Anyone planning on riding a four-wheeler inside the Shannon city limits, be forewarned – the police are watching and writing tickets.
“We have just warned people in the past that off-road vehicles are not allowed on city streets,” said Shannon Police Chief Desiree Kershner. “Starting this weekend, we are going to be stopping them and writing tickets.
“Last Sunday, we had seven to 10 of them going through a residential area just flying, possibly hitting 70. And they were flying through stop signs. We want to stop this altogether before someone gets hurt.”
The crackdown will not just be on four-wheelers, but all off-road vehicles. That includes side-by-sides, dirt bike motorcycles and even golf carts. If it is not designed to be on a street and does not have a tag, it will be ticketed.
While Mississippi law clearly states it is illegal for off-road vehicles to be on public roads, there is no clear law against the practice. State law requires operators to have a valid driver’s license, or if they are under 16 to wear a helmet and have ATV safety course certification to be able to operate an ATV on public property. But the law doesn’t allow the vehicles on public roads, including city streets or state highways.
Police are forced to write tickets because the vehicles don’t have the proper equipment like rearview mirrors or because they don’t have a license plate.
“From my research, it looks like we will have to charge them with improper equipment,” Kershner said. “That starts off as a $100 fine and can go up to $500 plus up to six months in jail. And we could tow the vehicle.”
For years, law enforcement has looked the other way or just asked people to ride on the sides or shoulders, instead of in the roadway. But an increase in off-road vehicles and a pair of state highways running through the middle of town has forced police to act.
“I have been told by my boss that we need to address this,” Kershner said. “So I am telling my officers to start stopping folks this weekend.”
william.moore@journalinc.com