QUESTION: Where can I ride my ORV in Gerrish Township?                     

    

ANSWER: There are NO designated ORV trails within Gerrish Township!

Below is some helpful information to assist you in safely and legally operating your ORV. 

Definitions:

  • ATV: means a 3 or 4 wheeled vehicle designed for off road use that has low pressure tires and has a seat designed to be straddled by the rider, and is powered by a 50 cc to 500 cc gasoline or an engine of comparable side using other fuels.  

  • DESIGNATED  FOR ORV USE: means posted for ORV use with appropriate signs by the Department of Natural Resources.

  • FOREST ROAD: means a hard surfaced road, gravel, or dirt road, or other route capable of travel by a 2 wheel drive, 4 wheel drive conventional vehicle designed for highway use, except an interstate or County highway.

  • FOREST TRAIL: means a designated path or way capable of travel only by a vehicle less then 50 inches in width.

  • HIGHWAY: means the entire width between the boundary lines of a way publicly maintained when any part of the way is open to the use of the public for the purposes of vehicular traffic.

PROHIBITED ACTS:

  • A person SHALL NOT operate an ORV that is not registered under the Motor Vehicle Code upon a public highway, street, or right-of-way of a public highway or street except as provided for: ORV's may cross a public highway, other than a limited access highway (expressway) at right angles, for the purpose of getting from one place to another.

NOTE:

  • In any court action where competent evidence demonstrates that a vehicle permitted under the Motor Vehicle Code is in collision with an ORV on a roadway, the operator of the ORV involved shall be considered prima facie negligent.

  • The ORV shall only be operated on FOREST TRAILS unless the trails are posted "Open For ORV Use".

AGE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS:

  • To operate an ORV off private property you must first have a valid Operator's license or in the case of a person less than 16 years of age SHALL NOT operate an ORV under the direct supervision of an adult or unless they possess an ORV Safety Certificate.

  • The owner or person in charge of a 4 wheel ATV shall not knowingly permit the vehicle to be operated by a child less than 12 years of age, unless the child is not less than 10 years of age and is on private property owned by a parent or legal guardian of the child.

  • An ATV may not be operated without a DOT approved crash helmet and protective eye wear.

  • An ATV may not be operated at a speed greater than is reasonable and proper, or in a careless manner while having due regard for conditions existing.

At this time there are no "FOREST TRAILS" or "FOREST ROADS" in Gerrish Township posted "Open for ORV use".   

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