August 17, 2010
Kankakee County Residents: The Kankakee County Sheriff's Office has received a substantial number of complaints relating to the illegal operation of certain vehicles on state highways, county, village, sub-division and township roadways. The Sheriff's Police will intensify enforcement efforts and your cooperation and compliance with the statutes cited below are appreciated.
All-terrain vehicles, go-carts and off-highway motorcycles - Section 625 ILCS 5/11-1426 provides that it is unlawful for any persion to drive or operate any all-terrain vehicle or off-highway motorcycle upon any street, highway or roadway in this state. This provision also prohibits the operation of go-carts, two-wheeled motorized cycles, children's motorized cycles and similar vehicles. These vehicles may not be operated on roads, sub-division roadways, streets and highways or their ditches.
Golf Carts - Section 625 ILCS 11-1428 provides that it shall be unlawful to operate a golf cart on any streets, roads, sub-division roadways or highways. The City of Momence and the Village of Manteno enacted ordinances allowing specially equipped golf carts to operate on certain streets and roadways within their jurisdiction. These ordinances do not authorize a golf cart on any street, road, sub-division roadway or highway or roadway right-of-ways outside of the two respective village limits.
Neighborhood Vehicles - Section 625 ILCS 5/11-1426-1 defines a neighborhood vehicle as "...a self-propelled, electronically powered four-wheeled motor vehicle (or self-propelled, gasoline-powered four-wheeled motor vehicle)...". The operation of a "neighborhood vehicle" is illegal and no person may operate such a vehicle upon any street, highway or roadway. Again, the City of Momence and the Village of Manteno enacted ordinances allowing specially designed "neighborhood vehicles" to operate on some streets and roadways within their jurisdictions.
Enforcement - law enforcement is authorized to cite the operator of any all-terrain vehicle, off-highway motorcycle, go-cart, two-wheeled motorized cycle, children's motorized vehicle, neighborhood vehicle, electronically powered four-wheeled motor vehicle (or self-propelled gasoline-powered four-wheeled vehicle, and golf-cart) or similar vehicle whenever they are operated on roads, sub-division roadways, streets and highways in villages and the unincorporated areas of the county.
Drivers should be mindful that the driving restrictions relating to these types of vehicles includes the roadway, shoulders and ditches. These rules exist to protect the drivers of off-roadway vehicles and drivers of traditional licensed vehicles. Operators of unauthorized vehicles may be cited and owners may face a citation in addition to towing and storage fees. Additional charges may be levied if an adult permits a child under the age of 18 to operate one of these vehicles on a road, sub-division roadway, street, highway or roadway ditch. And lastly, operators may not drive on a road, sub-division roadway, street or highway in order to get to an off-road site where operation may be allowed.
I remind all citizens to drive safely and I especially ask parents to act responsibly in the supervision of their minor children. Make certain that you and your family are properly secured in your vehicle.
Respectfully,
Tim Bukowski, Sheriff
Click here for a printable version of this press release.
|
