New rules for Oregon OHV use
From our weekly issue dated December 30, 2009
New safety restraint and helmet requirements for youth riding in off-highway vehicles will go into effect on Jan. 1.
Changes in state law will require youth under age 16 to be secured by proper restraints while riding in Class I and Class II vehicles mandated to have seatbelts. Class II vehicles include Jeeps, trucks, or side-by-side vehicles used for off-highway riding.
Class I vehicles that are affected include youth-sized, side-by-side all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) that weigh 800 pounds or less and have seatbelts. Riders in Class I quads and three-wheelers/ATVs weighing less than 800 pounds are exempt.
“Basically, laws governing the use of safety restraints by anyone 16 years of age or under in vehicles on roads and highways will now apply to off-road vehicle riding,” said John Lane, Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept. ATV safety education coordinator.
The change in the helmet requirement mandates that youth younger than 18 must wear fastened helmets approved by the U.S. Dept. of Transportation (DOT) while riding in any class of off-highway vehicle not registered by DMV. Anyone riding in a registered, street-legal Class II ATV that leaves the highway is exempt.
Advertisement:
Both changes resulted from legislation passed by the 2009 Oregon Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Kulongoski. The new safety restraint requirements were carried in Senate Bill 579. The amended off-highway helmet requirement was passed in Senate Bill 583.
Anyone with questions can phone the state ATV toll-free hotline, (877)772-3359; or e-mail them to atv.info@state.or.us.
Advertisement:
