Tuesday, July 10, 2007
By Jessica Beym
jbeym@sjnewsco.com
Off-road vehicle riders who break the law by driving on public land could have their vehicles impounded and their licenses suspended under a bill proposed by a Mercer County legislator and co-sponsored by Assemblyman Paul Moriarty, Washington Township.
The proposal, sponsored by Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, comes a few months after the Pinelands Preservation Alliance and at least 70 New Jersey mayors signed a letter urging legislators to develop new laws against the illegal use of all-terrain vehicles, known as ATVs or ORVs.
The bill, A-4172, would also require that ATVs display registration tags a crucial element of enforcement, said Carlton Montgomery, executive director the Pinelands Preservation Alliance.
"One of the big problems is that off-road vehicle riders are very hard to catch, so a policeman has to physically stop them to know who it is," Montgomery said.
The Preservation Alliance members believe that the legislation would deter riders from illegal free-wheeling and decrease the damage that has been done in the Pine Barrens an illegal but popular spot for riders, Montgomery said.
Today, the PPA and the Great Egg Harbor Watershed Association plan to point out places in Atlantic County's Hamilton Township where preserved land has been destroyed by ATV riders.
According to the bill, police or other enforcing agencies would have the authority to impound the ATVs if they were driven on public land in violation of state law. To retrieve a vehicle, the owner must show proof of registration and insurance, pay the towing and storage costs and a separate fee which ranges from $500 for a first offense, to $1,000 for a third offense.
The vehicle would be impounded for at least 48 hours on a first offense, and at least four days for a subsequent offense. If a driver did not claim the vehicle within 30 days, the state could auction it off to recoup the money it spent. The vehicle would automatically be auctioned after a third offense, according to the bill.
"If the threat is there that we can take your vehicle, I think people will be very careful about where they ride," Moriarty said.
Additionally, the person caught driving the ATV on public land could lose his or her driver's license for 30 days up to two years, depending on the offense. The driver would also face fines of $250 to $1,000.
In addition, ATV and snow mobile riders would face the same penalties that come with a motor vehicle violation. Currently, the penalties are less.
what can we do about another stupid duplicate law
PA is looking better by the day!!!! 
!!!!!!
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