(HARRISBURG) – Legislation aimed at providing law enforcement new tools to crackdown on the rampant illegal operation of dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on public roads cleared a key hurdle today (May 25) securing passage through the Senate Transportation Committee, according to Senator Pat Browne, the bill’s author.
SB1183 amends current law, providing for the seizure, forfeiture and disposal of dirt bikes and ATVs operated illegally on public roadways to be subjected to the state’s asset forfeiture law. This will provide local police departments a variety of disposal options, including allowing for their sale or destruction, helping to keep these illegally operated vehicles off of the streets.
The bill comes in response to the rise of illegal operation of dirt bikes and ATVs on the Commonwealth’s roadways, often by large groups of riders at the same time engaging in speeding and reckless driving. These activities pose an extreme danger to motorists and pedestrians and a grave threat to public safety.
“The operators of these vehicles are choosing to flagrantly violate existing laws designed to protect the public and are endangering lives on a daily basis,” Senator Browne said. “We have seen all too many instances of innocent bystanders being injured and property destroyed due to the actions of these reckless individuals. My bill will give law enforcement the tools necessary to seize and dispose of these dirt bikes and ATVs, keeping them off the streets.”
The bill applies to boroughs and cities of the third class. Cities of the third class include Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton and Reading. The current penalty for a violation is a summary offense, which is not sufficient to keep these recreational vehicles off public roadways.
The bill will now be sent to the Senate Floor for consideration.
CONTACT: Matt Szuchyt: Mszuchyt@pasen.gov, 610-821-8468