Neighbor kids are joy-riding with four wheeler
By SGT Marc Erickson
Date Modified: 05/30/2012 1:26 PM
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My neighbor kids are hooking a ski rope behind a four wheeler and then towing another kid on roller blades up and down the county road. My question is what are the rules for this? — Wayne
Wayne: Well there are a few things that have to be conformed with. o ride a four wheeler, there are several different things that have to be met:
1) A valid DL is required to operate on a road right-of-way
2) A person with a valid DL may operate an ATV registered for "private use" and being used for agricultural purposes on a public road right-of-way of a trunk, county, state aid, or county highway, if the ATV in on the extreme right side of the road. A left turn may be made if it is safe to do so.
3) ATV safety training is required if you are born after July 1, 1987 if operating on public lands, frozen waters, public road rights-of-way, or state or grant-in-aid trails.
4) Private use registration means using the ATV exclusively for ag activities, harvesting wood, or on private property.
5) Rider has to have a helmet until age 18.
As for towing a skater behind MN Statute 169.46 says "No person shall hitch a toboggan, hand sled, bicycle, or other similar device onto any motor vehicle or streetcar while being used on a highway."
So from your description I would say they weren't farming or harvesting wood and therefore could not be on the road with an ATV. They definitely can't tow in the manner that they are. My guess is that if you call the parents, they probably didn't know and would appreciate not having to pay a dentist or doctor bill at the least.
Hope this helps Wayne, if not call your county sheriff or the Department of Natural Resources as this is their jurisdiction.
— SGT Marc Erickson