With summer fast approaching, the Hawai‘i Police Department is warning the public that officers will issue citations to anyone who operates a dirt bike or all-terrain vehicle (ATV) on any public road on Hawai‘i Island. This includes state and county roads, as well as private roads open to the public. Police have identified areas they will be regularly patrolling.
ATVs should not be used on public beaches or on private lands without the landowner’s permission.
All drivers must be licensed and all motor vehicles must be properly registered to travel in the roadways in Hawaiʻi County. If officers observe those violations they will stop and issue traffic citations to anyone not following the traffic laws. Persons operating an ATV on a public road or highway are subject to a number of citations, including no valid license plates, no safety check, no weight tax sticker, and no no-fault insurance. If certain traffic violations are observed the vehicles may be impounded or towed from the scene.
The Hawaiʻi Police Department wants everyone to understand that regardless of the vehicle’s type, operating them recklessly is dangerous and a violation of HRS 291-2 “Reckless Driving”. Responsible adults must assure that motorcycles and ATVs are only operated where it is legal and, most of all, safe. It only takes one crash to alter many lives forever.
Police offer these safety tips when riding an ATV in an allotted area:
- Always wear a helmet and other protective gear such as eye protection, boots, gloves, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt.
- Do not allow a child under 16 to drive or ride an adult ATV.
- Do not drive ATVs with a passenger or ride as a passenger.
If you observe a dirt bike motorcycle or ATV traveling illegally on the roadway please call the police department’s emergency line at (808) 935-3311. Providing a license plate, description of the vehicle and driver, the road they are on, and the direction of travel will assist Hawai‘i Police Department to locate them.
