Orleans County sheriff notes changes to ATV laws

Orleans County Sheriff Scott Hess reminds all terrain vehicle (ATV) owners/operators that no person can lawfully operate an ATV on the private property of another without their consent.

There is a significant change to the law, which took effect November 1. As of November 1, no person shall operate an ATV on a farm operation without the consent of the owner or lessee where the owner has erected a "no trespassing" sign.

A violation will be a traffic infraction and will be punishable by a fine of not more than $250 or by imprisonment for not more than 15 days, or by both. A conviction of a second violation, committed within 18 moths of the first violation, shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $400 or by imprisonment of not more than 45 days, or both. A third or subsequent violation and conviction, committed within the same 18 month period, shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $550 or imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both. The complete text of the statute can be found in Section 2403 of the New York state vehicle and traffic law.

November 6, 2005