DARLINGTON - At the Sept. 19 meeting of the Lafayette County Board of Supervisors, the board approved and passed three new Lafayette County ordinances pertaining to the operation of ATVs/UTVs within Lafayette County. Effective Wednesday, these three new ordinances will be enforceable.
Lafayette County Ordinance No. 8-1-1.12b establishes a county-wide 30 mph speed limit when operating an ATV/UTV on any trail or route within the county. This ordinance was created to eliminate any question as to the proper speed limit on any road route whether county or township road. The citation amount for this offense will be $200.50, which is the same as the current citation for speeding on the Cheese Country Trail.
Lafayette County Ordinance No. 8-1-1.20 states that it is now unlawful for any occupant, driver or passenger to possess an open container of an intoxicating beverage while the ATV/UTV is being operated on any road route or roadway within Lafayette County. The citation amount for this offense will be $200.50. This ordinance has no application to the Cheese or Pecatonica Trail.
Lafayette County Ordinance No. 8-1-1.21 requires that all occupants of a UTV wear a seatbelt. This ordinance was created to clear up a potential loophole in the current DNR law. This ordinance also was created to lower the fine amount to $50 compared to the current DNR fine of $232. If stopped for not wearing a seatbelt by a DNR Warden, that person still will be fined the amount of $232. Wardens cannot issue county ordinance citations.
A reminder that not all roads in Lafayette County are approved road routes. If the road is not properly signed and approved, it is not open to ATV/UTV operation. For example: Bennett Road from Wisconsin 11 or Leadmine to New Diggings is not open to ATVs/UTVs. Crossing Wisconsin 11 at the intersection of County I and Bennett Road was denied specifically by the Highway Safety Committee because of the safety concerns the intersection presents.
The board encourages users to operate safely and within the rules and encourage others to do the same. It is through the cooperation of everyone involved that a great recreational activity that benefits Lafayette County residents as well as guests may be provided, according to the board.
Lafayette County Ordinance No. 8-1-1.12b establishes a county-wide 30 mph speed limit when operating an ATV/UTV on any trail or route within the county. This ordinance was created to eliminate any question as to the proper speed limit on any road route whether county or township road. The citation amount for this offense will be $200.50, which is the same as the current citation for speeding on the Cheese Country Trail.
Lafayette County Ordinance No. 8-1-1.20 states that it is now unlawful for any occupant, driver or passenger to possess an open container of an intoxicating beverage while the ATV/UTV is being operated on any road route or roadway within Lafayette County. The citation amount for this offense will be $200.50. This ordinance has no application to the Cheese or Pecatonica Trail.
Lafayette County Ordinance No. 8-1-1.21 requires that all occupants of a UTV wear a seatbelt. This ordinance was created to clear up a potential loophole in the current DNR law. This ordinance also was created to lower the fine amount to $50 compared to the current DNR fine of $232. If stopped for not wearing a seatbelt by a DNR Warden, that person still will be fined the amount of $232. Wardens cannot issue county ordinance citations.
A reminder that not all roads in Lafayette County are approved road routes. If the road is not properly signed and approved, it is not open to ATV/UTV operation. For example: Bennett Road from Wisconsin 11 or Leadmine to New Diggings is not open to ATVs/UTVs. Crossing Wisconsin 11 at the intersection of County I and Bennett Road was denied specifically by the Highway Safety Committee because of the safety concerns the intersection presents.
The board encourages users to operate safely and within the rules and encourage others to do the same. It is through the cooperation of everyone involved that a great recreational activity that benefits Lafayette County residents as well as guests may be provided, according to the board.