Many streets now closed off to OHVs (off-highway vehicles) and golf carts may become accessible if the Mesquite City Council approves two ordinances changes being proposed by Mesquite Police Chief Troy Tanner.
“The first thing we want people to understand if these ordinances are approved, is that OHVs and golf carts can only be used to get from Point A to Point B,” Chief Tanner told the Mesquite Local News in an exclusive interview. “And people need to obey all traffic laws as though they were in a regular vehicle.”
The two ordinances will allow OHVs and golf carts to travel on the street lanes primarily on W. Pioneer Blvd between Falcon Ridge Parkway and Oasis Blvd. “For instance, that will let people in Sun City drive their golf carts from their homes to either the Falcon Ridge golf course or the Oasis golf courses,” Tanner said.
“We want OHVs to use the regular travel lanes because they can go the full speed limit. Golf carts should use the very right curbside lane area and stay out of the regular vehicle lanes since they are much slower than cars and trucks,” he said. “If people live in a golf community they can drive their carts on designated trails or streets; otherwise, the vehicles should stay off sidewalks and not interfere with walkers or runners.”
“Mostly we want people to understand that we are not allowing these vehicles to become a substitute for cars or trucks,” Tanner said. “We want people to respect this privilege. That means you cannot use them to go to the grocery store, the casino, the hotels, or other shopping and dining areas. If you do, we will issue you a warning for the first infraction and a citation for the second offense.”
The ordinance changes will be introduced at the City Council meeting on Oct. 11 and then receive a full public hearing and possible approval at the Oct. 25 council meeting. “Until these ordinances are approved they are not in effect,” Tanner said.
Tanner said that he’s received many requests from people to drive their OHVs and golf carts on previously closed streets and “It’s been a headache enforcing it and explaining the prohibition. This change will allow people to travel the streets they’ve been wanting to travel.”
He reiterated that all of Mesquite and Sandhill Boulevards remain off limits to these vehicles. East Pioneer Boulevard between Oasis and Sandhill Boulevards remains off limits as does Riverside Road between W. Mesquite Blvd and W. Hafen Lane. People can cross the Riverside Road bridge south of Hafen Lane on an OHV or golf cart. Obviously I-15 remains closed to these vehicles also.
This still makes it hard for OHV ers from getting from the north side to the south side with out driving on private property.
Great idea. This works in Arizona why not here in Nevada especially In Mesquite. This is a Golf Course and OHV heaven. This only makes sense.
I agree with Chief Tanner. With respect to side by side vehicles, as long as they are street legal, (clearly licensed and equipped with mirrors, horn, turn signals, etc.) they should be allowed to drive on city streets for the purpose of getting from point A to point B. I also agree they should not be used as commute vehicles for running local errands, etc.
The fact is, there is a large portion of the resident population that enjoys off-road vehicles. Furthermore, many of the visitors to our city come not just for golf, but for the enjoyment of the hundreds of nearby trails and spectacular views. The chief’s proposal, facilitating the ease with which ‘off road’ folks can reach their destinations, is sound and very forward thinking.
Yes and there is a lot of golf carts that do not have plates on them.
Thay should be paying tax just like the SUV people.
Thanks
For the many of us with homes in Mesquite that make OHV riding a main part of our lifestyle, this change is an improvement. But…….We have felt and would suggest that there is still a reluctance or lack of understanding related the difference between ATVs where you straddle the tank and are not typically “street legal” and the side-by-side OHVs that can be equipped to be fully street legal. The motorcycle industry has been dealing with this for a long time. Is there really good reasons to restrict “street legal” OHVs from full use of Mesquite streets…..especially on streets with posted speed limits at 45 MPH or less. It appears that this plan would allow a non-street legal ATV to travel on our roadways. So…..even with the improvements of this proposed plan and as mentioned in another comment, there is still a problem with attempting to get from Sun City (the north side of I-15) across town to the access roads towards Gold Butte (the south side of I-15). We currently cross private property that is posted and down the storm drainage ditches to get across town. These routes may not be available long term and we shouldn’t be forced to cross posted, private property. “Street legal” means the vehicle meets all requirements for travel on licensed vehicle roadways and assumes a licensed driver with insurance. Although a move in the right direction…….it still leaves us OHV riders with difficult options.
Good idea. If it works out, expand the area we can travel. Give it six months and review.
Dear Mesquite council:
Please explain why it’s OK to ride a motorcycle all over town, but not a properly-licensed OHV.
We do not want to drive ours on I-15 but what’s wrong with taking it to a grocery store?
Thank you.
I hope there will be an emphasis on preventing underage drivers of these OHV’s? Am I the only one who has observed underage drivers commuting around town, and to/from the gas stations in/on these vehicles?
By-the-way, I am in favor of the proposal, just not underage drivers on our streets.