New off-highway vehicle rules

Colonel Aaron Gross

Director, Massachusetts Environmental Police

View Aaron's Bio

Spring is a wonderful time to be outdoors with an abundance of activities to choose from. Whether it be fishing, all-terrain vehicle (ATV) riding, or just taking in the scenery, it can be a fun time of the year.

For your safety, our officers are outdoors each season throughout Massachusetts using four-by-four vehicles, ATVs and snowmobiles to patrol off-road areas, and operating a fleet of more than 50 vessels to patrol coastal and inland waters. MEP officers are empowered to enforce all of Massachusetts’ general laws but focus on laws and regulations related to the protection of the Commonwealth’s natural resources and the safe operation of boats, recreation and snow vehicles.

Year after year, we see tragic boat, snow and recreation vehicle accidents. As Colonel of the Massachusetts Environmental Police – the primary enforcement agency for state recreational vehicles and boating laws – I am urging all operators of these vehicles and vessels to be cautious, obey the law and use common sense while enjoying the warming spring weather.

As recreation vehicles begin to head into the woods and trails, keep in mind the Environmental Police safety guidelines designed to safeguard recreation vehicle users, private property owners, and the state’s natural resources.

Persons under 18 are now required to take an OHV Safety Course and carry the course completion certificate in order to operate a recreation vehicle in Massachusetts.

OHV Safety Course Requirements and Schedule

Here are some safety tips I’d recommend: 

• Wear a U.S. Dept. of Transportation approved helmet.
• Ride at reasonable speeds for existing conditions and be especially cautious when operating at night. 
• Check frozen ponds and rivers before going onto the now thawing ice – be aware of soft spots in places where there are currents or natural springs below the ice, and exercise extra caution when temperatures creep above 32 degrees F. 
• Dress in layers, including waterproof outerwear.

I also recommend joining an organized club to discover local areas where snowmobiles and ATVs are permitted. Remember, it is illegal to operate a boat, snow or recreation vehicle after consuming alcoholic beverages.

According to Massachusetts Law, snow and recreation vehicle operators must be over 14 years of age. Children between the ages of 10 and 14 can operate while being directly supervised by an adult over the age of 18 when training for or participating in certain events or races. Be aware that state law also requires operators to obtain landowners’ permission before riding on private property, and prohibits operation of ATVs and snowmobiles on public roads or within 150 feet of a home.

Like all outdoor enthusiasts, I urge recreational vehicle operators to respect the state’s natural resources by taking care to avoid damaging trees, underbrush and other landscape features.

Again, I encourage you to enjoy the wonders of nature at its best, be safe.

Comments

[Michael Jacobs]

I have been riding off road motorcycles since I was 14 (now 55 & still riding) an long ago concluded that being fit and using good judjment is the key to consistanly having a fun an injury free ride.

What are the odds that state mandated safety training will instill good judgment? Will it take the stupid out of the stupid?

[matt]

obviously you have a bunch of morons who do not ride making laws about riding. why dont you worry about springfields drug problem or any crime thats important and leave us law abiding people alone!

[The Great Outdoors Staff]

There are two upcoming public hearings regarding the regulation changes. Wednesday, May 11, 2011, Massachusetts Environmental Police Headquarters, Atrium, 251 Causeway St., Boston 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Thursday, May 12, 2011, Quinsigamond State Park, 10 North Lake Ave., Worcester, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

[Jim Smith]

I live out of state but had my atv's registered in Mass to ride in your state parks. My son has been riding since he was 4 and not he is 16 so it is a joke to ask him to take a training class now. It is also a joke that we have to go to get a permit before riding in Pittsfield only to have the E.P. stop and question us on the trails and in the parking lot and ask to see our registration and paperwork.

I spent (yes past tense) $120.00 last year on registrations in Mass

On average we went to Mass 6 times a season and got a 2 hotel rooms each trip for 2 nights and between food, gas and the hotel spent $1000.00 each trip in the state of Mass. We also took several day trips.

My estimate is the state of Mass and business in Mass will loss 10k per year from my family not going to Mass anymore because of these new rules that were put into affect to harass ATV riders.

Are other outdoor sports in Mass subject to the same level of scrutiny? I do not think so.

This is not fair and I will not give Mass anymore of my hard earned money.

Good Job Mass!!!!

[Stephen McDermott]

I understand and respect our Enviromental Police force. I don't understand how a state like Massachusetts with so many smart people can pass so many poorly planned laws. Why would you spend so much legislative time writing a law that is so difficult to enforce, generates a fraction of the revenue it could have if wrtten with growing the sport in mind, become a growing cost to the state, close business, slow or eliminate payroll and sales tax in the state, and force people to register their machines with no place to ride, Now the penalaties are going to be used to hire more police, and purchase trails, ya that's going to work. Nintey percent of N.H. Trails are privately owned, why does MA need to buy them? It's too bad we have so many politicans making laws that negativley impact our state, even worse our communities stand by and let it happen. Good luck enforcing these new laws, arrest some kid on a dirtbike, let the pot head puff his brains out on the side walk with little or no fine. How discouraging, and truly foolish. Just another example of public time and money wasted on bad legislation. If this was just handled a little differently it could have been a significantly positive, revenue generating activity. Now it will become an expensive drain on the public funds and do little to help the sport. Even worse it will increase injury and death due to kids fleeing officers instead of stopping and paying the fines. I hope everyone who created this mess can live with the results.