DARLINGTON - The city of Darlington recently amended its traffic code to designate all city streets as access routes for all terrain vehicles (ATV) and utility task vehicles (UTV.)
According to Darlington Police Chief Jason King, the ordinance change means some residents within the City of Darlington may now use city streets to access the Cheese Country recreation trail from their homes.
The ordinance change doesn't "carte blanche permission for every Cheese Country Trail user to traverse city streets as if they were a recreation trail," said King, adding the city's rules are much more restrictive than those on the Cheese Country Trail.
The rules were established following many months' worth of meetings in which residents who supported ATV/UTV access routes and those who had concerns met with city officials to debate the issue. The ordinance was drafted to meet the needs of ATV/UTV users without sacrificing public safety.
The requirements of the ordinance are:
- City streets will be open to ATVs and UTVs only, not snowmobiles, go carts, golf carts, dune buggies, etc.
- City streets will only be open between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. but only on those days the Cheese Country Recreation Trail is open to ATV/UTV users.
- City streets are only to be used by local residents for the sole purpose of gaining access to and from their residence and the Cheese Country Recreation Trail and by using the shortest and most direct route possible.
- ATVs/UTVs cannot drive on Wisconsin 23 or Wis. 81 in the city.
- Must be at least 16 years of age and possess a valid driver's license.
- Must possess proof of current insurance on the ATV/UTV.
- 10 mph speed limit.
- Must conform to all noise and equipment requirements as set forth in the Wisconsin Statutes.
- Must display lighted headlight and taillight.
- Must operate on the outermost 5 feet of the street, in single file, with the flow of traffic.
- Must have current registration, which will include a rear license plate effective July 1.
King said the police department will be working with citizens to keep close watch over the new access routes. Data regarding all complaints, warnings and citations surrounding the new ATV/UTV access routes will be kept by the police department and shared with the Common Council in July and again in December in an effort to determine whether the routes should be kept.
More information is available by contacting the police department at (608) 776-4980.
According to Darlington Police Chief Jason King, the ordinance change means some residents within the City of Darlington may now use city streets to access the Cheese Country recreation trail from their homes.
The ordinance change doesn't "carte blanche permission for every Cheese Country Trail user to traverse city streets as if they were a recreation trail," said King, adding the city's rules are much more restrictive than those on the Cheese Country Trail.
The rules were established following many months' worth of meetings in which residents who supported ATV/UTV access routes and those who had concerns met with city officials to debate the issue. The ordinance was drafted to meet the needs of ATV/UTV users without sacrificing public safety.
The requirements of the ordinance are:
- City streets will be open to ATVs and UTVs only, not snowmobiles, go carts, golf carts, dune buggies, etc.
- City streets will only be open between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. but only on those days the Cheese Country Recreation Trail is open to ATV/UTV users.
- City streets are only to be used by local residents for the sole purpose of gaining access to and from their residence and the Cheese Country Recreation Trail and by using the shortest and most direct route possible.
- ATVs/UTVs cannot drive on Wisconsin 23 or Wis. 81 in the city.
- Must be at least 16 years of age and possess a valid driver's license.
- Must possess proof of current insurance on the ATV/UTV.
- 10 mph speed limit.
- Must conform to all noise and equipment requirements as set forth in the Wisconsin Statutes.
- Must display lighted headlight and taillight.
- Must operate on the outermost 5 feet of the street, in single file, with the flow of traffic.
- Must have current registration, which will include a rear license plate effective July 1.
King said the police department will be working with citizens to keep close watch over the new access routes. Data regarding all complaints, warnings and citations surrounding the new ATV/UTV access routes will be kept by the police department and shared with the Common Council in July and again in December in an effort to determine whether the routes should be kept.
More information is available by contacting the police department at (608) 776-4980.