Police in St. Mary's to crack down on off-road vehicles

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somd.com Editor
Staff member
PREMO Member
Patron
Police in St. Mary's say they are going to crack down on off-road vehicles being operated on roadways and private property not owned by the rider. In a nutshell, you either need to ride it on your own private property or other private property for which you have expressly been granted permission to ride. IMO, it would be nice to have public lands where these folks could ride. On the other hand, as with most public facilities in this state these days, there would be so many fees and DON'T DO THIS and DON'T DO THAT signs (take a ride through St. Mary's City sometime) that you might as well stay home and beat yourself in the head with a baseball bat.

Laws regarding off-road vehicles being operated on roadways and private property; St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office to begin issuing citations

The change of weather has caused an increase of illegally operated off-road vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, and similar vehicles being operated throughout St. Mary's County on roadways, private property, and in residential areas. These vehicles pose a considerable safety threat to riders and residents, whether on the public or private property.

The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office has investigated over 545 complaints since 2015 and responded to nearly 300 traffic calls for service involving off-road vehicles. The Sheriff's Office will begin issuing citations to offenders and increase parent responsibility for juvenile riders. The Sheriff's Office wants to ensure citizens are familiar with the laws regarding requirements for off-road vehicles being operated on roadways and private property not owned by the rider.

The Sheriff's Office is working in concert with the State's Attorney on this initiative.

The difference between motor vehicles and off-highway recreational vehicles, as defined by Maryland Vehicle Law:

Maryland vehicle law defines motor vehicles as vehicles that are self-propelled or propelled by electric power obtained from overhead electrical wires and are not operated on rails. Under this definition, off-highway recreational vehicles (three wheeler, pocket bike, golf cart, four-wheeler, utility vehicle/side by side) are not considered motor vehicles.

For purposes of Maryland Vehicle Law only, off-highway recreational vehicles means a motor vehicle that is

1. motor-assisted or motor-driven

(i) is designed to carry only the operator of the vehicle on a seat or saddle designed to be to be straddled by the operator or is designed to carry only the operator of the vehicle and one passenger;

(ii) Is commonly known as an all-terrain vehicle, three wheeler, pocket bike, golf cart, four-wheeler, utility vehicle, also knows as a side by side.

2. A motorcycle that is designed for off-highway operation and is not eligible for registration as a Class D (motorcycle) vehicle under this article, commonly knows as a dirtbike;

3. Snowmobile

The following is information regarding where off-road vehicles can and can not be driven:

• Any vehicle that is not registered in the state of Maryland may not be driven on Maryland highways. Maryland vehicle law defines highways as the entire width between the boundary line of any way or thoroughfare of which any part is used by the public for vehicular travel, whether or not the way or thoroughfare has been dedicated to the public and accepted by any proper authority. This means off-road vehicles are for use on PRIVATE PROPERTY only, with the permission of the owner/agent. According to Maryland Vehicle Law, they cannot be operated on public sidewalks, public roads, streets or highways.

In addition to any other traffic violations observed, the following are a list of Maryland Transportation Article Charges that one could face if observed operating an off-road vehicle contrarily to the law.

• 13 402 by – Driving unregistered motor vehicle - $290/0 points

• 16 101 a – (Driving, Attempting to Drive) motor vehicle on highway without required license and authorization – *Must Appear/5 Points

• 16 101 b – Operating a (moped, motor scooter) on the highway without required license or permit – *Must Appear/5 Points. Although, "motor assisted" and "motor driven," a moped and motor scooter can be operated on the highway if the operator has a valid license or a moped permit obtained through the MVA.

• Knowingly permitting (child, ward) under 15 to drive motor vehicle on Highway – $290/5 points

• 17 107 – Driving Uninsured Vehicle – *Must Appear/5 points

• An individual operating an off-road vehicle will run the risk of having their ATV towed and stored by the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office.

*A person issued a MUST APPEAR CITATION will receive a court date in the mail and must see the judge; there is no pre-set fine.

Anyone with additional questions is asked to contact our Traffic Safety Unit at 301-863-4816, ext *1456 or by email, Brian.Connelly@stmarysmd.com.
 

Restitution

New Member
Meanwhile....

RT235 is still the Wild West during rush hour(s)

AND.... MSP and SMCSO are still running radar from business entrances/exits WITHOUT requesting permission from the owners.
 

DEEKAYPEE8569

Well-Known Member
Meanwhile....

RT235 is still the Wild West during rush hour(s)

AND.... MSP and SMCSO are still running radar from business entrances/exits WITHOUT requesting permission from the owners.
If the owners don't squeak up and say something, it will continue. It might even continue if they did say something.
 

Bird Dog

Bird Dog
PREMO Member
My issue has always been, some come-here buys a 100' X 50 lot and thinks they own or have rights to everything they see..
 

3CATSAILOR

Well-Known Member
Meanwhile....

RT235 is still the Wild West during rush hour(s)

AND.... MSP and SMCSO are still running radar from business entrances/exits WITHOUT requesting permission from the owners.

Have you ever thought that the property owners don't mind? Let our law enforcement folks do their jobs. I know several business and Corporation leaders along Route 235. None of them would mind. In fact, they would be glad to have police so close by in case they needed them. They have a though job. We should support them in any way we can.
 

3CATSAILOR

Well-Known Member
Police in St. Mary's say they are going to crack down on off-road vehicles being operated on roadways and private property not owned by the rider. In a nutshell, you either need to ride it on your own private property or other private property for which you have expressly been granted permission to ride. IMO, it would be nice to have public lands where these folks could ride. On the other hand, as with most public facilities in this state these days, there would be so many fees and DON'T DO THIS and DON'T DO THAT signs (take a ride through St. Mary's City sometime) that you might as well stay home and beat yourself in the head with a baseball bat.



Laws regarding off-road vehicles being operated on roadways and private property; St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office to begin issuing citations

The change of weather has caused an increase of illegally operated off-road vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, and similar vehicles being operated throughout St. Mary's County on roadways, private property, and in residential areas. These vehicles pose a considerable safety threat to riders and residents, whether on the public or private property.

The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office has investigated over 545 complaints since 2015 and responded to nearly 300 traffic calls for service involving off-road vehicles. The Sheriff's Office will begin issuing citations to offenders and increase parent responsibility for juvenile riders. The Sheriff's Office wants to ensure citizens are familiar with the laws regarding requirements for off-road vehicles being operated on roadways and private property not owned by the rider.

The Sheriff's Office is working in concert with the State's Attorney on this initiative.

The difference between motor vehicles and off-highway recreational vehicles, as defined by Maryland Vehicle Law:

Maryland vehicle law defines motor vehicles as vehicles that are self-propelled or propelled by electric power obtained from overhead electrical wires and are not operated on rails. Under this definition, off-highway recreational vehicles (three wheeler, pocket bike, golf cart, four-wheeler, utility vehicle/side by side) are not considered motor vehicles.

For purposes of Maryland Vehicle Law only, off-highway recreational vehicles means a motor vehicle that is

1. motor-assisted or motor-driven

(i) is designed to carry only the operator of the vehicle on a seat or saddle designed to be to be straddled by the operator or is designed to carry only the operator of the vehicle and one passenger;

(ii) Is commonly known as an all-terrain vehicle, three wheeler, pocket bike, golf cart, four-wheeler, utility vehicle, also knows as a side by side.

2. A motorcycle that is designed for off-highway operation and is not eligible for registration as a Class D (motorcycle) vehicle under this article, commonly knows as a dirtbike;

3. Snowmobile

The following is information regarding where off-road vehicles can and can not be driven:

• Any vehicle that is not registered in the state of Maryland may not be driven on Maryland highways. Maryland vehicle law defines highways as the entire width between the boundary line of any way or thoroughfare of which any part is used by the public for vehicular travel, whether or not the way or thoroughfare has been dedicated to the public and accepted by any proper authority. This means off-road vehicles are for use on PRIVATE PROPERTY only, with the permission of the owner/agent. According to Maryland Vehicle Law, they cannot be operated on public sidewalks, public roads, streets or highways.

In addition to any other traffic violations observed, the following are a list of Maryland Transportation Article Charges that one could face if observed operating an off-road vehicle contrarily to the law.

• 13 402 by – Driving unregistered motor vehicle - $290/0 points

• 16 101 a – (Driving, Attempting to Drive) motor vehicle on highway without required license and authorization – *Must Appear/5 Points

• 16 101 b – Operating a (moped, motor scooter) on the highway without required license or permit – *Must Appear/5 Points. Although, "motor assisted" and "motor driven," a moped and motor scooter can be operated on the highway if the operator has a valid license or a moped permit obtained through the MVA.

• Knowingly permitting (child, ward) under 15 to drive motor vehicle on Highway – $290/5 points

• 17 107 – Driving Uninsured Vehicle – *Must Appear/5 points

• An individual operating an off-road vehicle will run the risk of having their ATV towed and stored by the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office.

*A person issued a MUST APPEAR CITATION will receive a court date in the mail and must see the judge; there is no pre-set fine.

Anyone with additional questions is asked to contact our Traffic Safety Unit at 301-863-4816, ext *1456 or by email, Brian.Connelly@stmarysmd.com.

This has been an on going problem for quite some time. Like in any other long term problems, sooner or later it will have to be addressed.
 

itsbob

I bowl overhand
Meanwhile....

RT235 is still the Wild West during rush hour(s)

AND.... MSP and SMCSO are still running radar from business entrances/exits WITHOUT requesting permission from the owners.

Just because they are entrances to businesses doesn't mean the business owns them.. the city, county and state owns several feet back from the road... both property and roadway.
 
After 6 months living in the state I do believe it is.. tags and license both.

Unless you are active duty military

Yes, I seem to remember that when I moved here. But there are no qualifications stated in the directive above. That's why I used the popcorn.... tongue in cheek.
 

Restitution

New Member
Just because they are entrances to businesses doesn't mean the business owns them.. the city, county and state owns several feet back from the road... both property and roadway.

Hmmm... thats an interesting observation.

Then tell me why it is that the county, city, and state leave the maintenance of these areas to the business owners?
 

glhs837

Power with Control
Also, my Gator and tractor. Which I drive both on county and state roads to get to parts of my farm.

Which is what I was referring to in my post about this. You driving in the breakdown lane of Rt 6 or Rt 234, say, in a safe responsible manner, they are not going to sweat you. The 19yo doing wheelies through Patuxent Homes, or the guy going 50 on a quad through Spring Valley, that's who they are after. That guy last week ran into a mail truck hard enough to destroy his bike and do a three foot dent into the truck. Imagine if that had been a kid on a bike, or a mom with a stroller. The SJWs might scream disparate justice, but the guy taking his Gator to the gas station doing 25 or so in the breakdown lane to St James to fuel it up, he's not the danger the Sheriff is after, I dont think.
 
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