Manchester Police Warn ATV Riders To Stay Off Roads

MANCHESTER, NJ — The warming days have seen an increase in outdoor activities in the area. That includes ATV riding, and Manchester Township police are warning that they will be cracking down on people who don't follow the law on their use.

The police department, in a post on its Facebook page, noted police are "inundated with complaints" about people riding their ATVs on public roads throughout the day and night.

Driving ATVs on public roads is dangerous and illegal under New Jersey law, the police department said.

"These frequent and consistent violators are affecting the quality of life of many citizens throughout the township," police said, noting the department will be conducting specialized enforcement operations this summer.

ATV riders who are caught on a public road or who are riding on private property without written consent "will be found in violation of numerous township ordinances and NJ traffic statutes, which could result in expensive fines, ATV impoundment, and issues with your driver’s license," police said.

The township has long had an uneasy relationship with ATVs and their enthusiasts. Complaints have been filed on a regular basis by residents who don't like the sound of the ATVs in the woods near their home.

The laws regarding ATVs were "enforced but we weren't incredibly vigilant," Mayor Ken Palmer said in late March during a Facebook live session. But with the increased usage of ATVs, there has been an increase in complaints and problems, especially regarding riders taking their ATVs onto streets.

There have been at least three serious incidents in the last year, including one in December that killed a man when the ATV he was a passenger on 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

ATV riders have caused damage along the shoulders in some areas. Palmer said that in one instance, the township's public works crews repaired a stretch of shoulder along Harry Wright Boulevard that had been torn up by ATV riders, only to have it torn up again two weeks later.

Manchester Township police say residents who are seeing problems with ATVs can report the issue anonymously to the police department. The department's anonymous tipline can be accessed here.

Click here to get Patch email notifications, or download our app to have breaking news alerts sent right to your phone. Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com Follow Manchester Patch on Facebook.