Township police warn ATV riders

Officials put forth rules for safety

By: Joseph Harvie
   Police are warning ATV riders to make sure they have proper permission and paperwork when riding the vehicles on property that is not theirs.
   South Brunswick Police spokesman Sgt. James Stoddard said in an e-mail that there have numerous complaints recently about ATV riders, primarily in the eastern section of the township, near its borders with Monroe and East Brunswick.
   He said police would increase patrols in areas where complaints have been filed. He also said police want to make riders familiar with laws about riding the three and four-wheeled motorized vehicles.
   Under the township code, anyone caught riding an ATV on public or private land without a permit could have the vehicle confiscated and impounded. Permission is not needed if the vehicles are driven on their own property.
   Under state statutes anyone caught driving an unregistered ATV on public highways or lands could receive a fine between $100 and $200. However, no registration is needed to operate an ATV on private property, owned by someone other than the rider or his or her family, under the law.
   In addition, the state law says that if any person caught driving an ATV on privately owned property without the landowner’s consent could face fines between $100 and $200. Also, driving on private property without written permission of the owner is a disorderly person’s offense and if property is damaged it is a crime and people caught in violation of this could face between $100, and $2,000 in fines.
   Anyone with any questions can contact Sgt. Stoddard at (732) 329-4000 ext. 7479.