ATVs allowed on state roads starting January 1
The City of Nome will not be opting-out of a state regulation change allowing all-terrain vehicles on public roadways, citywide, according to Mayor John Handeland. This includes streets once restricted to ATV traffic in Nome.
The issue came up in a Nome Common Council meeting, Nov.8 in response to the change in statewide regulations by the Dunleavy administration. Starting January 1, the state will allow all-terrain vehicles, including four-wheelers and side-bysides but not snowmachines, on roadways with speed limits of up to 45 miles per hour. The regulation gives local governments the authority to opt-out within their jurisdictions.
There were a few questions raised about the safety of ATVs and the potential increase in accidents and violations in enforcing traffic rules at the council meeting. But for the most part, council members hold no objections to the idea of allowing ATVs on all streets in Nome. City Manager Glenn Steckman said at the meeting that people need to understand that they need to have proper insurance for their vehicle, license plates, and the driver must have a valid driver’s license. Nome police would be enforcing the rules. Councilman Mark Johnson remarked, “I hope it’s enforced by instruction before we pick up everybody who doesn’t comply.” Another concern raised was that the local DMV is closed from Dec. 17 through January 2.
“We recognize that there are folks in rural Alaska, that their primary mode of transportation is an ATV. And so it would be a disservice to a lot of the population,” said Mayor Handeland.
Nome resident, Dennis Twaddle, is one of those residents. “It’s my daily drive when it’s not broken,” Twaddle said, referencing the ATV parked in his front yard. “But I stay off Front Street because that’s the street that everyone says you’re not supposed to be on.” These restrictions, if the regulation change is not challenged, will no longer be in place.
The city ordinance posted on the official City of Nome website reads that “the City of Nome has authorized the use of off-highway vehicles within the City as a means of transportation.” It’s followed by this footnote which is still posted on the website: “The ordinance does not apply to State Highways which include: Front Street; Bering Street; Seppala Drive; Center Creek Road; the Nome/Beltz/Teller Highway and Nome/Council Highway. Off-highway vehicle use of these highways is prohibited.”
The Nome Nugget reached out to both Nome Police Chief Michael Heintzelman and Deputy Police Chief Robert Pruckner for a request for comment that went unanswered as of press time.
The city of Fairbanks has been among the more active communities to opt-out of the statewide regulation, prohibiting ATVs on city roads by a five to one vote of the City Council last month.