ORV'S

[Angie]

Have anyone of you have had any issues with Orv's of any kind in your area?

Now that your allowed to ride on road. Your comments good or bad are much appreciated.

[charlemagnetism]

i havent seen any on the road or the sholder this year.  maybe its like turning 21 for drinking to lose its appeal. 

is it aloud for the full county.

[Angie]

Not in all areas yet. But more and more are saying yes to them.

[Willy]

They do not belong on county roads. The tires are made for traction and they will do a lot of damage to gravel road surfaces. I know because I own 4 of them and have used all tire styles. I don't understand the point of allowing them. The after market exhausts on most machines are quite noisy and I wouldn't appreciate them running around my home if I lived in a township that allows them. I noticed the ordinance would allow 12 year olds to operate ORV's on the roads. What the hell are they thinking?

[Sweater Cows!]

I really don't understand why there should be age limits on OrV's. I rode them as a child with my dad, the same as we took trips to the UP with snowmobiles and road 100's of miles and I drove my own snowmachine. Although I would like to get one for the kid. It may be that I look at them as a very dangerous thing that must be treated with respect and used responsibly. I guess there are many out there who would let there kid just take off anywhere and could endanger others or themselves. I guess I think they should be able to be used by anyone anywhere but my experience is that of trail riding responsibly with adults as a kid.

[Eve Alone]

ORVs need age limits because they are dangerous, more so than cars. 

I do not make it out to where the ORVs can run free, but from what I've heard from those out there, it really hasn't been much of a change.  People just use the new open to ORV roads to get to better off road places without having to use a trailer.

[you wish]

the law on this is that the orv can only drive fast enough to maintain forward motion.  and the atvs r suppose to b on the right of way.  and with the noise,  they are no different then a motor cycle going by your house.  and i see there is no complaints about that on here. 

[Willy]

you wish

I disagree. They are allowed to travel at 25mph, hardly a slow forward motion. They are allowed to be on the maintained portion of the right of way which includes on the ''road'' next to the roads edge. Believe me the exhausts on these machines are much louder than a street bike.

[XLFD]

Excellent points Willie, I use an ORV at times, and with that unfortunate accident that recently happened near that area with the 15 year old on the motorcycle (which require a rider to be 16 y.o.), I do see some problem in having 12-16 y.o. and their love for speed and excitement riding along on these even more dangerous vehicles on roads.  

Furthermore, the State and its subdivisions "have no duty to maintain any highway under their jurisdiction in a condition reasonably safe and convenient for the operation of low-speed vehicles."  Except in incidents of gross negligence.  MCL 257.606a.   If you get going too fast and wipe out or If that grass on the side of the road hides a log or trash that leads to an accident, you're scrod. 

Yet, I think it is a positive for townships to be able to rule on such things; I just hope they consider all the potential problems, damages, and dangers, and change policy with these in mind.