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Rule change would allow UTV use on city streets
Gentlemen, start your utility task vehicles.
An ordinance allowing the use of certain recreational off-highway vehicles on City of Greencastle streets has been passed on first reading by the City Council.
Ordinance 2023-7 awaits second reading and adoption, likely at the Council’s December meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14 at City Hall.
Introduced at the Council’s November meeting at the request of Councilman Cody Eckert, who noted that there was no uniform enforcement within the city. The proposed measure “makes it uniform and flexible for people who don’t want to use cars,” he added.
The ordinance “will allow people to do in the city what they already do in the county and other places,” Eckert explained.
Recreational off-highway vehicles, as defined by Indiana code, would be allowable under the ordinance upon passage and the posting of proper signage around Greencastle.
Specifically excluded are golf carts, ATVs, three-wheelers, four-wheelers and slow-moving vehicles, all of which are not recreational off-highway vehicles and not allowable by state statute.
Golf carts, for example, “do not have some of the safety features as these UTVs,” Mayor Bill Dory noted.
Council members pointed to use of such vehicles by DePauw University personnel, which is fine on campus, but when driven to other locations in town is currently not right.
“They have far exceeded the limits of campus, even after being reminded,” Dory added.
According to the ordinance, recreational off-highway vehicles shall:
-- Be larger than 50 inches but less than 80 inches in width when measured from outside of tire rim to outside of tire rim.
-- Have a dry weight of more than 1,500 pounds but less than 2,500 pounds.
-- Be designed for travel on four non-highway or off-highway tires.
-- Have the ability to operate at posted speed limits.
-- Be equipped with such equipment as safety belts for the driver and all passengers, either side mirrors or a rear-view mirror, traditional steering wheel, two headlights, two turn signals and at least one brake light.
Driver and passenger requirements include:
-- Drivers shall be at least 18 years old and possess a valid operator’s license.
-- Drivers shall possess proper insurance.
-- Any driver or passenger must wear a seatbelt in accordance with Indiana law.
-- No children requiring use of a harness seat are allowed as passengers.
As far as operations are concerned, recreational off-highway vehicles:
-- Shall be driven on city streets and alleys only and not on berms, sidewalks, pathways or city grass.
-- Are not permitted on city streets from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
-- May not travel on Veterans Memorial Highway.
-- Shall not be driven on state property, except while crossing at right angles for purposes of getting from one area to another.
Recreational off-highway vehicles must be registered annually with the City of Greencastle and pass inspection to operate on city streets. An initial fee of $100 will be required for inspection and processing costs. The permit may be renewed for an additional two years at a renewal fee of $35.
Violations of the ordinance will include a $100 fine for a first offense, $250 fine and 60-day suspension from using the vehicles on city streets on a second violation and $500 fine and lifetime suspension for a third offense.