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ATVs will no longer be allowed on public roads in Kanawha County.
The county commissioners approved the ban by a 2-1 vote Thursday after a
three-hour public hearing.
Kanawha Commission President Kent Carper says something had to be done to
make up for the deficiencies in the new state law.
Carper said making it legal for ATVs to travel on state highways is a bad law,
creating safety hazards for ATV riders and motorists. West Virginia's law is unlike
the ATV regulations in 44 other states, he said.
Carper also said the legislature refused to heed the warning issued by the
manufacturers that the vehicles are not intended for paved highways.
The state law does allow county commissions to pass more stringent ordinances
if they have "active land use plans," which many West Virginia counties do
not.
The Jefferson County Commission had the ATV issue on its agenda Thursday, but
decided to table it. Jefferson, Berkeley and Morgan counties will soon ban ATVs on
all roads.
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