HUNTSVILLE — Sheriff Anthony Lay announced Monday night that after a two-week grace period “to get the word out,” his department will begin strict enforcement of laws regarding All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) operating on state highways, county roads and municipal streets.
Appearing before County Commission at Monday night’s meeting, Sheriff Lay cited a recent letter to the editor by Freddie Griffith of Huntsville (which was published in both local newspapers), as well as a personal experience, for his decision to step-up enforcement.
Lay told the Commission that his biggest concern is that the noise of the machines disturbs the sleep of the elderly and working people who need and deserve their rest.
“I was elected to enforce the laws,” Lay said, later adding that even if it costs him re-election next year, he is going to begin strictly enforcing the law.
He said what triggered his decision to crack down on ATV riders was the letter printed in the paper, followed by a personal experience with the “commotion” four-wheelers make.
“It busted my ear drums . . . and it really dawned on me that it was out of control,” Sheriff Lay said. “If people want to vote me out because I do my job, I’ll find a job somewhere else . . . you cannot operate ATVs on public highways, county roads or municipal streets anywhere. The only exception (by law) is Hwy. 116 in the Briceville area of Anderson County.”
He went on to say that he was “sorry it’s come down to this” but it’s a sheriff’s duty to enforce the laws.
When asked by Commissioner Ernest Phillips about the Town of Huntsville’s ordinance allowing ATVs to operate on city streets, he said he was aware of it, but felt state laws supersede local ordinances. He added, however, that he would have to research it to make sure, and asked for the assistance of County Attorney John Beaty in that regard.
Long after the commission had moved on to other business, Commissioner Jeff Watson brought up the fact that Brimstone Recreation had done a lot of work to promote Scott County as an ATV rider’s destination and asked the commission to “seriously consider” seeking legislation to have certain roads in the county dedicated to ATV riders (such as River Road in Huntsville).
Sheriff Lay said his comments were not intended “to hurt their business,” and that if legislation is sought to allow ATV riders on certain roads it was all right by him.
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Comments
atv noise
I wish we could get this in wv they keep people up all night. They don't need to be going over 15 mph at night. Some of the riders I can set my clock by a recent drug bust has stopped a few for a while I hope it last a long time. If the owners cannot control their speed or sound the state should require goveners on the atv and take away driving privileges for a period of time even to the young riders take the parents license to operate a motor vehicle and impound the atv. I used to allow riding thru my farm but after picking up trash many times I was forced to stop that. It would be nice to sleep all night my elderly neighbors agree.
Maybe the sheriff should get
Maybe the sheriff should get a meter that measures how loud an exhaust is and set a decibel limit. Doing random checks, ticketing those above the limit, will be a step in the right direction. I ride, yet I can't stand a loud exhaust.
I ride to see the scenery & wildlife. The loud exhaust scares the wildlife back into the dense cover where they can't be seen.
A speed limit of 15 on the road for atv's is more than reasonable, and at that speed, any machine with stock exhaust should be below the decibel limit and shouldn't disturb residents trying to rest.
I do hope it don't come to ticketing every rider that comes to town and spends their hard-earned wages only to drive them away. And as for the city ordinance on riding, I do believe it supercedes the state's ordinance. I know it does in Evarts, Kentucky. Another thing about Evarts, all riders MUST wear helmets while riding on the roads or face a ticket.
atv's on roads = money in the comunity
My group travels 8 hours several times a year to ride brimstone. In the past year we have purchased 2 700cc bikes from Thompsons along with dropping $1000-$1500 on each 4 day trip. That adds up to $12000 for bikes and another 4-6 thousand in lodging, food, gas, park fees. All of this going back into your comunity either in the way of jobs and or cash in pocket. There are several areas in your state, Kentucky and WV that are becoming very ATV friendly and the comunity is showing the rewards of that effort. Ticketing the ridders that are using the county roads to access trails or pick up suplies { again spending money} will do nothing but push those ridders to the next town that could use the buisness. Please post the outcome before the second week in July we have a large group with reservations comming to your town. If we will be ticketed or there is a threat of ticket I would like time to cancell and head to Kentucky.
sad
i was looking to rent 4 utity atv this month but if my family is going to get ticketed then no I will not be coming. You know there are noise sclienters that you can put on motorcycles and atv's that cuts the noise in half or more(i am in favor of that and also a max speed limit of 15mph is smart) If everyone could play by the rules then there should be no infractions handed out. You know this county is in the top 5 poorest county's in the state you think the county would embrace some of it's strengths and not harbor on the weakness
Please come sir, we want you
Please come sir, we want you to come and enjoy Scott county and the trails!!!! don't go somewhere else, you are welcome here by the overwhelming majority of Scott county citizens!!!!!
WE WILL SUPPORT OUR SHERIFF ON THE ISSUE OF ATVS
i really think that mr lay is only doing what needs to be done there are so many people that are getting hurt on these things even kill mostly kids i also agree with mr lay on the issue that the elderly do need there rest and there is a lot of people that have to work for a living i know r.l.gibson dont agree with this because he owns one of these.but he is also always trying to push the issue on drinking to .we really dont need neither of these .i have always wondered that if some one is riding one of these atvs and they hit your car and caused damage to it and they dont have insurance who pays to get your car fix .because not everybody can afford full coverage insurance .not only that what if you get run over because of someones carelessness . people see a law officer and try to out run them even in the city of oneida.is it fair that they can have these on the road with out a driven liscense a liscense plate an no insurance get real .and i say that most people that try to run from the law are either wanted are drinking and they dont need to be on the roadways i really dont think this will hurt the sheriff on the next election we need this sheriff he has really done a good and fair job for scott county pepole thanks mr lay for a job well done keep up the good work
Hurt your re-election???? If
Hurt your re-election???? If you REALLY crack down you'll get my families 4 votes!
atv's
AMEN on the crack down and support of Mr. Lay
ATV Riding
I can see how this has become a problem with people who do not know how to ride the right way especially those who seem to have the throttle buried the whole time they ride or when they pass cars or houses, plus I've seen several people on Highway 27, and even on the 4 lane in Oneida with 2 stroke motorcycles.
On the other hand as an ATV rider myself I do not see what the problem is with riding the correct way on gravel backroads & I intend to keep riding on those regardless, I'll take my chances I guess. Worse comes to worse & I'll eventually sell my ATV and buy a street legal enduro.
There are always a few people
There are always a few people who ruin things for everybody. My family goes 4wheeling on Brimstone everyweekend, but it requires going down two back roads to get there. Most of the trails on Brimstone require you to travel on a county road like River Road or Winona to get from one trail to another. There will be no way to ride up there without taking a chance on getting a ticket or whatever they decide to do. The county's economy is going to take a hit as well. Everybody in Scott County can't afford to buy a trailor to haul their ATV to the trails. People who rent them from Thompson's won't be able to go in behind the courthouse now. I hope everyone enjoyed it while it lasted.
ATV Restrictions
Scott County has the highest unemployment rate in the state and ATV enthusiest bring in much needed tax dollars to our county -- I mean a lot of tax dollars that support our school system to name one. We have over 700,000 people that visit The Big South Fork National Park every year. Without tourism Scott County will not survive in these tough economic times. We should embrace tourism because it has a direct impact on us and our children. I want what is best for Scott County and we need to accomodate those that are paying the bills -- Tourist! If you don't believe me just park at one of stores and resturants over the weekend.
AMEN
AMEN...............................
Its time welfare took a back seat to real jobs and progress to recovery....