Binghamton mayor aims to crack down on ATVs, off-road vehicles in city. What to know
A new law proposed by Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham would crack down on illegally operated off-road vehicles within the city of Binghamton.
According to the mayor's office, in recent years Binghamton residents have increasingly called with complaints about illegal off-road vehicles.
“Residents across the city have voiced their frustrations with the excessive noise and public safety concerns caused by off-road vehicles in neighborhoods," said Kraham. "This new legislation will increase the consequences for individuals who break the law and help to deter this kind of dangerous nuisance activity in our neighborhoods and parks.”
Why are off-road vehicles a problem?
Under current law, off-road vehicles are prohibited within the City of Binghamton. That includes all-terrain vehicles, or ATVs, dirt bikes, dune buggies, go-carts and “all other types of motorized trail bikes or vehicles that are manufactured for sale or operation primarily on off-highway trails or for off-highway competitions.”
However, consequences under state law remain lax, with drivers able to retrieve their vehicles from impound within a few days.
According to Kraham, the riding of ATVs and off-road vehicles on city streets poses concerns not just in terms of noise pollution, but with safety as well. Last year, an 18-year-old was critically injured while operating a dirt bike on Vestal Avenue on the city's South Side.
Kraham met with residents of the South Side, and specifically Mary Street last year, to discuss concerns about the operating of off-road vehicles in the neighborhood. According to Kraham, the city is looking into specific hotspots of illegal activity on the street, but has not yet taken any action.
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What would change under new Binghamton law?
The new law is modeled on a law adopted by Syracuse in 2021. The law would create fines of up to $1,000 for illegal operation of an off-road vehicle, and allow the Binghamton Police Department to impound the vehicles.
In order to retrieve them, owners would be charged a $2,000 fee, in addition to towing and storage fees.
The law will be submitted for City Council to consider at a work session on Monday.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Binghamton mayor aims to crack down on ATVs, off-road vehicles in city
