Manchester Police Impound ATVs Driven On Public Roads

MANCHESTER, NJ — Manchester Township police issued multiple tickets and impounded at least one all-terrain vehicle after they were driven illegally, "carelessly and recklessly" on public roads, police said Thursday.

In one instance an ATV driver who performed a wheelie for more than 500 feet down a residential street, Manchester Lt. Vincent Manco said.

Police and Manchester Mayor Ken Palmer have been warning about the crackdown for weeks. It comes in response to what Manco said was an overwhelming number of complaints from residents about ATVs and at least three serious crashes in Manchester involving ATVs in the last year.

In December, a passenger on an ATV died when the ATV flipped and landed upside down in the lake at the Heritage Minerals site. The driver in that incident was charged with driving under the influence in the case. Read more: Drunk Driving, Vehicular Homicide Charges In Manchester ATV Crash

In another incident, an 18-year-old was seriously injured when he drove an ATV drove into traffic along Route 37. Read more: 1 Hurt In ATV-Car Crash On Route 37: Manchester Police

Palmer in March said in years past, ATV laws were enforced in Manchester "but we weren't incredibly vigilant. Most people respected the fact that they shouldn't be riding the ATVs on the roads or affecting quality of life of others."

As ATV usage increased, particularly during the pandemic, complaints and problems including property damage have increased as well, Palmer said.

Driving ATVs on residential streets has been one of the biggest issues, and that's where police are focusing their special enforcement efforts, Manco said.

"This illegal activity is not only extremely dangerous, but is also affecting the quality of life of many Manchester Township residents," he said.

Manchester officers patrolled several residential neighborhoods and witnessed multiple incidents, issuing multiple tickets as a result.

ATV owners who want to drive on private property must get written permission from the property owner and carry that permission with them while riding, according to New Jersey motor vehicle laws.

Manco said police will continue to impound all ATVs being operated illegally on public roads, and the enforcement will continue throughout the summer.

ATV operators who fail to stop when signaled by the police will face criminal charges of eluding, he said.

In addition to having ATVs impounded, Manchester Township ordinance 418, which categorizes ATVs as motor sportbikes provides for fines of up to $1,000 or 90 days in jail for driving ATVs illegally.

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