Ad
Police cracking down on off-road rule breakers, here are the rules
Published
Modified
Operation of OHVs on streets or highways-prohibited areas
Driving OHVs adjacent to streets
The Rio Rancho Police Department is stepping up patrols to ensure safety and compliance with off-highway vehicle regulations in Rio Rancho.
"As much as we love the thrill of off-road adventures, it's crucial to follow the rules of the road and respect local ordinances. Let's work together to keep our streets safe and our walking trails preserved for everyone to enjoy safely.
Remember, your cooperation helps keep our community safe and preserves the beauty of our outdoor spaces. Let's ride responsibly and respect the law," RRPD states in a post.
Unless exempted from the provisions of the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act, a person shall not operate an off-highway motor vehicle unless the vehicle has been registered.
OHV regulations also state municipalities or local authorities can make exceptions to the law that apply only within village, city or county limits.
The city of Rio Rancho has some special rules for motorcycles and off-highway vehicles in the Rio Rancho Municipal Code.
A. No person shall operate an off-highway motor vehicle on any limited access street at any time or any paved street or highway except as provided in Subsection B of this section.
B. Off-highway motor vehicles may cross streets or highways, except limited access highways or freeways, if the crossings are made after coming to a complete stop prior to entering the street. Off-highway motor vehicles shall yield the right of way to oncoming traffic and shall begin a crossing only when it can be executed safely and then crossing in the most direct manner, as close to a perpendicular angle as possible.
C. A person shall not operate an off-highway motor vehicle on state game commission-owned, ‑controlled or -administered land except as specifically allowed pursuant to Chapter 17, Article 6 NMSA 1978.
D. A person shall not operate an off-highway motor vehicle on land owned, controlled or administered by the state parks division of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, pursuant to Chapter 16, Article 2 NMSA 1978, except in areas designated by and permitted by rules adopted by the secretary of Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources.
E. Unless authorized, a person shall not:
(1) remove, deface or destroy any official sign installed by a state, federal, local or private land management agency; or
(2) install any off-highway motor vehicle-related sign.
A. Off-highway motor vehicles issued a validating sticker or nonresident permit may be driven adjacent to a street, yielding to all vehicles entering or exiting the street, in a manner so as not to interfere with traffic upon the street, only for the purpose of gaining access to, or returning from areas designed for the operation of off-highway motor vehicles, by the shortest route possible and when no other route is available or when the area adjacent to a street is being used as a staging area. Such use must occur between the street and fencing that separates the street from private or public lands.
B. When snow conditions permit, an off-highway motor vehicle may be operated on the right-hand side of a street, parallel, but not closer than 10 feet, to the inside of the plow bank.
In addition to these rules, Rio Rancho has also specified that it is unlawful to operate an off-highway motor vehicle on private lands except with the express permission of the owner of the lands, as it says in state law.
ATV/OHVs are regulated by state statue and city ordinance.
According to the city of Rio Rancho, the main difference between state law and city ordinance is that the city does not allow for riding on the road or the side of the road, except to cross over.
State law and ordinance establish a max noise level of 96 decibels.
There are also speed restrictions wof 10 miles per hour within 200 feet of a business, animal shelter, horseback rider, bicyclist, pedestrian or occupied dwelling, unless the person operates the vehicle on a closed course or track.
Generally, the state OHV regulations allow operation if the vehicle has proper equipment, the operator has valid driver’s licenses or permits as required under the Motor Vehicle Code and off-highway motor vehicle safety permits as required under the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act, the operator is insured, the operator is using proper eye protection and, if the operator is under 18 years old, they have to wear a safety helmet at all times.
To understand the full scope of OHV regulations see the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division's guidelines.
City of Rio Rancho rules can be found in the Rio Rancho Municipal Code.
