Off-Road Vehicle Complaints: Kendall Sheriff Beefs Up Enforcement

KENDALL COUNTY, IL — Kendall County residents have been reporting an increase in off-highway vehicles being used on public roads. Since giving warnings hasn't been effective, the Kendall County sheriff's office said in a news release June 11 it's going to increase enforcement.

Deputy Dan Briars told Patch the office has received an "increasingly regular number of complaints" throughout the county, and many have been coming in from Boulder Hill.

Officers spotting people using these vehicles — including ATVs, dirt bikes, mini-bikes and go-carts — on public, residential roads, will result in tickets and possibly towing, according to the release.

"It is the philosophy of the Sheriff’s Office to attempt to gain voluntary compliance through educating the operators and their parents/guardians about the dangers and legal ramifications of operating such a vehicle on a public roadway," the office said in its release. "Unfortunately, this approach has not been entirely effective and the warnings which have been given are not being heeded."

Briars said these vehicles are not designed to be as visible as cars or trucks, and it can lead to more issues and traffic accidents.

"At the end of the day, it's important to make sure these offroad vehicles are being operated safely and in the appropriate settings," Briars said.

He said the office's intent isn't to start ticketing everyone, but merely giving warnings and educating drivers of the dangers wasn't working.

Since it's prohibited by law to drive off-road vehicles on public roads, Briars said it "would be preferable" if someone is able to get authorization from a property owner to use their ATV or mini-bike, for example, on private property.

"We would rather take these steps now than have to respond to a serious injury crash involving an off-road vehicle later," the release said.

This article provides a list of trails across Illinois where ATVs can be used safely.