HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC SERVICES SECTION
SERGEANT RANDY K. APELE
PHONE: 961-2305
DECEMBER 9, 2003

MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island police are advising residents that it is against the law to drive all-terrain vehicles on public roads.

According to officials of the Hawaii State Transportation Department, vehicles that may legally use public roads and highways must meet federal motor vehicle safety standards, and ATV’s fail to meet these standards.

Police issued the advisory in response to questions received from ATV owners and residents contemplating purchasing an all-terrain vehicle.

ATV’s were not manufactured as motor vehicles for highway use, according to Randy Apele, head of the Traffic Services Section.

Individuals may legally operate ATV’s off-road only, Apele said.

Persons operating ATV’s on public roads and highways are subject to a number of citations, including tickets for having no valid license plate, having no valid safety sticker and having no automobile liability insurance, he said.

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