Warrenton city leaders last week expressed an open attitude toward loosening the rules that restrict the use of UTVs (aka side-by-sides) and fireworks within the city limits.
Members of the board …
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Warrenton city leaders last week expressed an open attitude toward loosening the rules that restrict the use of UTVs (aka side-by-sides) and fireworks within the city limits.
Members of the board of aldermen commented on March 1 that they would be interested in revisiting past decisions about what types of small, recreational vehicles are allowed to travel on city streets. Warrenton ordinance currently only allows golf carts with numerous extra safety features to operate on city-owned roads. ATVs, UTVs, and golf carts that don’t have required safety equipment such as seat belts are not allowed on Warrenton’s streets.
The discussion of changing those rules, which occurred during the board of aldermen’s regular public meeting March 1, was prompted by Warrenton-area resident Rodger Tucker, who said Warrenton should go in the direction of other cities which have recently loosened their restrictions on small vehicles.
“Washington and Wright City have recently adopted pathways for ATVs and UTVs to be used on city streets, and I would like to know if you guys would be open … to look at those ordinances and maybe get ours revised,” Tucker said to the board.
“I’m open to a work session (about it),” commented Ward 2 Alderman Steven Cullom.
“I wouldn’t mind it,” said Mayor Eric Schleuter. However, Schleuter commented that state law enforcement are considering a crackdown on recreational vehicles using state highways, which could complicate the discussion for anyone who lives just outside Warrenton and wants to drive a UTV into town.
Until a few years ago, Warrenton didn’t allow any type of small, recreational vehicle on city streets. Comments from residents moved the board of aldermen to partially lift that restriction, but because of safety concerns, aldermen only allowed golf carts that have the same sorts of safety, light and signaling equipment found on full-size cars. Warrenton also requires cart owners to go through a safety inspection and permitting process, and to carry insurance on their vehicles. They did not comment on which of those requirements they would want to keep if the city’s rules are expanded to allow vehicles like UTVs, which don’t always have a full array of safety equipment.
