Police Warn Against Using Off-Road Vehicles On Long Valley Streets

LONG VALLEY, NJ — Long Valley police are bolstering efforts to crack down on the use of off-road vehicles on the township's streets, which has increased over the last few weeks.

The Washington Township Police Department shared details in a social media post warning residents after they received several complaints about kids and adults driving dirt bikes, quads and golf carts on public and private roads.

According to Lt. Chris Bratus, the calls are being received from adults who are either driving and encountering off-road vehicles around town or homeowners who have it happening in the streets by their houses.

"This problem isn’t unique to Washington Township. It is happening in cities and towns throughout the state," Bratus said.

The Washington Township traffic safety unit wants to make sure that everyone is aware of the risks and potential repercussions of engaging in or permitting children to engage in this activity.

"First and foremost, it is dangerous to operate any type of motorized vehicle on the roads that is not designed for that type of operation. They are rarely built with the proper lighting and safety equipment, which is obviously dangerous for the person or persons riding it," police said.

Despite the fact that the warning was directed at parents, Bratus stated that this is not limited to teenagers in the township, as the drivers who have been reported have been a mix of teenagers and adults.

In New Jersey, all motorized vehicles that are driven on a road must be registered with the state, and ATVs and other low-speed vehicles are still illegal on roads with speed limits greater than 25 mph.

Police also stated that if a vehicle is not insured, the owner's and/or operator's driver's license can be suspended for up to a year on a first offense. If the vehicle is involved in a collision, civil liability enters the picture, which can present a whole new set of issues.

"Please keep these types of vehicles off the roads and off private property," police said. "If you operate any unregistered vehicle, including a golf cart, it would be impounded, and summons would be issued for having an unregistered vehicle and an uninsured vehicle."