14 Killed In Off-Highway Vehicle Crashes, Triggering Warning In GA

ATLANTA, GA — Georgia authorities are warning people of vehicle safety after 14 people have been killed in crashes involved ATVs and off-highway vehicles.

The Georgia Department of Public Safety on Thursday urged residents to practice safety when using multipurpose off-highway vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, low-speed vehicles and golf carts.

There have been 42 crashes involving ATVs and off-highway vehicles between Jan. 1 and June 20, authorities said. Of those, 14 people have died, and 114 have been injured, across Georgia. authorities said.

Of the 14, eight people died in crashes involving multipurpose off-highway vehicles, six people died in accidents involving ATVs, authorities said.

This included the death of a 16-year-old teenager from southeast Georgia. Authorities said, on May 31, the teenager was in an ATV that left the road and hit a tree.

In another crash, a 39-year-old driver on June 17 was found dead under an overturned multipurpose off-highway vehicle on private property in Middle Georgia, authorities said.

“These vehicles can be fun and useful on trails, private land and designated county roads, but they come with serious risks—especially when not operated safely,” Georgia Department of Public SafetyCommissioner Col. William W. Hitchens III said in a news release.

Multipurpose off-highway vehicles can now be registered and be issued metal license plates after an initiative was established on Dec. 1, 2023 through the Motor Vehicle Division of the Georgia Department of Revenue, authorities said.

These registered vehicles must have features specifically intended for utility use and meet several specifications. They can only be driven on county roads and may cross city streets or state highways, authorities said.

Dirt bikes, ATVs, three-wheelers and other vehicles with handlebar steering, straddle seats or those with less than four wheels cannot be registered, authorities said.

Unregistered multipurpose off-highway vehicles may continue to be used solely for off-road purposes, authorities said.

"The Department of Public Safety encourages all drivers and riders of these vehicles to learn and follow the safety guidelines recommended for each. Keep in mind, all applicable traffic laws are subject to the same insurance requirements and moving violations as other vehicles, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and distracted driving," authorities said in the release.

ALSO SEE: Get The Latest Local News (For Free!) With One Quick Tap