Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

As summer approaches, The St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office would like to remind everyone that ATVs, golf carts and side-by-sides are not permitted on public highways or private property without the consent of the property owner. Our office has received several complaints about the use of these vehicles on roadways and private property. As previously posted, private property does include sugarcane field roads that are owned and leased by sugarcane farmers.

Deputies will be enforcing not only the traffic laws but also the complaints on private property. Individuals operating ATVs in subdivisions will be cited and vehicles impounded when necessary. Deputies are committed to ensuring the safety of those operating off-road vehicles as citizens who are affected by the use of these vehicles on our streets.

When operating an off-road vehicle, keep safety at the forefront. Don’t take unnecessary risks, travel at safe speeds, and wear proper safety equipment. If the vehicle being operated is authorized to be used on public roadways, please abide by all traffic laws and signage. Let’s strive for an accident-free summer.

On March 25, 2021, St. James Parish passed an ordinance regarding ATV/UTV operation on the roadways. Golf Carts & UTV’s can now become a “street legal special purpose vehicle.” Recently our office has become aware of an increase in ATVs on the road. Because of the uptick in ATV traffic, we feel that it would benefit the public to know how the law works and how to operate your ATV/UTV legally. You too can make your ATV/UTV “Street legal!”