PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: ALL-TERRAIN-VEHICLES 2023

February 8, 2023

El Paso, Texas - The El Paso County Sheriff's Office would like to remind the public that operating an All-Terrain Vehicle is prohibited on a public roadway as in the Texas Transpiration Code.

All-Terrain Vehicles are specifically designed for off-highway use and the use of an All-Terrain Vehicle on a public roadway places the rider and passengers in danger.

A person younger than 14 years of age may not operate an All-Terrain Vehicle unless the person is under the direct supervision of the person's parent or guardian, or an adult who is authorized by the parent or guardian.

A person may not carry a passenger on an All-Terrain vehicle unless the All-Terrain vehicle is designed by the manufacturer to transport a passenger on it.

The Sheriff's Office is encouraging the public to stay safe and to always wear safety equipment such as helmets and eye protection when operating All-Terrain Vehicles.

Below is a list of Transportation Codes that will be enforced by the El Paso County Sheriff's Office in violation of Chapter 663 which is the certain Off-Highway Vehicles.

The following are examples of Off-Highway Vehicles but not limited in the definition:

All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV), Side by Side, and Quad

Sec. 663.034. SAFETY APPAREL IS REQUIRED. A person may not operate, ride, or be carried on an all-terrain vehicle on public property or a beach unless the person wears: a safety helmet that complies with United States Department of Transportation standards; eye protection.

Sec. 663.036. CARRYING PASSENGERS. A person may not carry a passenger on an all-terrain vehicle operated on public property or a beach unless the all-terrain vehicle is designed by the manufacturer to transport a passenger.

Sec. 663.037. OPERATION ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS IS PROHIBITED. (a) A person may not operate an all-terrain vehicle on a public street, road, or highway except as provided by this section.

The operator of an all-terrain vehicle may drive the vehicle across a public street, road, or highway that is not an interstate or limited-access highway, if the operator: brings the vehicle to a complete stop before crossing the shoulder or main traveled way of the roadway; yields the right-of-way to oncoming traffic that is an immediate hazard; and makes the crossing: At an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the roadway; At a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing; and with the vehicle's headlights and taillights lighted.

Sec. 551A.034. CROSSING HIGHWAY AT POINT OTHER THAN INTERSECTION. (a) The operator of an off-highway vehicle may drive the vehicle across a highway that is not an interstate or limited-access highway at a point other than an intersection if the operator: brings the vehicle to a complete stop before crossing the shoulder or main traveled way of the roadway; yields the right-of-way to oncoming traffic that is an immediate hazard; and makes the crossing:

At an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the roadway;

At a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing; and

with the vehicle's headlights and taillights lighted.

The operator of an off-highway vehicle may drive the vehicle across a divided highway other than an interstate or limited access highway only at an intersection of the highway with another highway.

Sec. 551A.052. REGISTRATION; LICENSE PLATES. Except as provided by Section 502.140 (c), the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles may not register an off-highway vehicle for operation on a highway regardless of whether any alteration has been made to the vehicle. An operator may operate an unregistered off-highway vehicle on a highway in a manner authorized by this subchapter only if the vehicle displays a license plate issued under this section. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles: Shall by rule establish a procedure to issue license plates for unregistered off-highway vehicles; and May charge a fee not to exceed $10 for the cost of the license plate, to be deposited to the credit of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles fund. An off-highway vehicle license plate issued under Subsection (c) does not expire. A person who becomes the owner of an off-highway vehicle for which the previous owner obtained a license plate may not use the previous owner's license plate.

Sec. 551A.073. RECKLESS OR CARELESS OPERATION PROHIBITED. A person may not operate an off-highway vehicle on public off-highway vehicle land or a beach in a careless or reckless manner that endangers, injures, or damages any person or property.

Sec. 663.032. OPERATION BY PERSON YOUNGER THAN 14. A person younger than 14 years of age who is operating an all-terrain vehicle must be accompanied by and be under the direct supervision of the person's parent or guardian; or an adult who is authorized by the person's parent or guardian.

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