As expected, the implementation of the new ATV regulation is causing havoc statewide as local government entities contend with the effects of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s desire to ride his ATV from his house.
The law is so poorly written that almost no one will comply with the rules, yet many will feel empowered to ride on the roads. I won’t belabor the obvious safety risks but here are the most poorly thought out parts of the regulation:
1. The resulting patchwork of areas allowed/not allowed will be unclear to most users.
2. Very few people have license plates, registration and insurance on their ATVs.
3. Only a portion of ATVs have the now required “carburetor.” I can’t imagine the thought process of this one or how law enforcement is supposed to determine this externally. Most models are now EFI — no carburetor —but that’s not externally apparent.
4. I’m really struggling to think of an ATV that doesn’t have the newly required “throttle.” Can’t imagine how that got in the regulation.
So the result will be a large increase in ATV use on roads with the vast majority out of compliance with the regulation. Our overstretched law enforcement agencies will be tasked with enforcement of this mess.
— Stephen Edwards
Wasilla
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