Ordinance allows ORVs on county roads

Four-wheeled, off-road vehicles can now be driven legally on county roads, though drivers must adhere to a number of conditions.

The matter was approved during Tuesday’s county commission meeting.

First raised by members of the St. Joseph County Road Commission Board, the ordinance is a progressive measure, according to board chairman Dennis Allen.

The ordinance allows drivers of ORVs to operate on the right side of county roads but not exceed 25 miles per hour. All other standard traffic laws – including lighting, possession of a valid driver’s license, not being driven two abreast and the use of a helmet unless the vehicle is equipped with a windshield or roll bar, for example – must be obeyed.

He said no township in the county asked yet to be exempt from the ordinance, though any of the 16 townships have that option.

In other action Tuesday, commissioners OK’d the hiring of an assistant prosecutor. The commission’s approval was necessary due to the continued hiring freeze the county has in place.