SENATE Floor Leader Donald M. Manglona on Monday clarified that Senate Bill 24-11, which he introduced to regulate off-road vehicles in the CNMI, also allows these types of vehicles to be driven on highways.
The bill states these provisions:
1) All off-road vehicles, including ATVs, SxS and UTVs, are entitled to the full use of a lane and no motor vehicle may be driven in such a manner as to deprive any all-terrain or off-road vehicle of the full use of a lane.
2) The operator of an off-road vehicle, including ATVs, SxS, and UTVs, may not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken. This, however, does not apply to police officers in the performance of their duties.
3) No person may operate an off-road vehicle, including ATVs, SxS, and UTVs, between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles. This, too, does not apply to police officers in the performance of their duties.
4) Off-road vehicles, including ATVs, SxS, and UTVs, may not be operated more than two abreast in a single lane.
5) Off-road vehicles, including ATVs, SxS and UTVs, shall be operated on the right lane of a two- or more lane highway at all times except when making a turn.
6) No person may operate a privately owned all-terrain or off-road vehicle between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. on a highway.
S.B. 24-11 states that because there is an increase in the use of off-road vehicles in the CNMI, the government should require the use of minimum safety equipment such as helmets and seatbelts, as well as certain parts to pass a mandated vehicle inspection.
Off-road vehicles are also traveling on primary roads and highways “making it more dangerous for all vehicle drivers if the rules of the road are not followed by all drivers,” the bill stated.
It added that there are also certain rules of the road that off-road vehicles must adhere to, such as operating only on the right lane of two- or more lane highway at all times except when making a turn.
S.B. 24-11 would impose a $100 fine on any person who fails to comply with, refuses to comply with, or violates the law for the first conviction, and a $250 fine for any subsequent conviction within one year.
