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WATCH: NOPD’s Traffic Commander on Rules and Regulations Surrounding ATVs

by Danielle B. Miller

February 22, 2018

Categories: Announcement, Community, Videos

Topics: Community Policing, Districts

After recent incidents involving the operation of ATV’s on public roadways, NOPD’s Traffic Commander, Lt. Avery Theard updates the public on the state law governing ATV operation in Louisiana.

“The NOPD is aware of some of the illegal activity that has been going on with ATVs and we plan on enforcing the laws strongly,” said Commander Theard.

See full video here on rules and regulations surrounding the operation of ATVs.

There are mandatory equipment and safety features that all-terrain off-road vehicles must have in order to operate on a public roadway.

  • ATVs must be equipped with the minimum motor vehicle safety features including the following: headlamps, turn signal lamps, tail lamps, stop lamps, reflex reflectors, an exterior mirror mounted on the driver's side of the vehicle and either an exterior mirror mounted on the passenger's side of the vehicle or an interior mirror, a parking brake, speedometer, odometer, braking for each wheel.
  • ATVs must have a vehicle identification or serial number.
  • ATVs must be registered with the state of Louisiana through the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of motor vehicles, as an off-road vehicle and shall display a decal issued by the office of motor vehicles.
  • Persons operating an ATV must be at least twenty-one years of age and possess a valid driver's license.
  • Persons operating an ATV must have liability insurance.

Any operation of an ATV on a city street without satisfying the mandatory equipment and safety features required in the Louisiana state law is illegal. Depending on how flagrant the driver’s actions are, a driver can be cited or arrested for reckless operation of a vehicle on public roadways or for failure to have the safety features required in Louisiana state law.

Citizens should not engage a person operating an ATV illegally. If you can identify the perpetrators, please call and notify any NOPD officer. Citizens with information that can help solve crimes are asked to call Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 1-877-903-STOP.