First responders increasingly use All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) in the course of their duties, allowing for law enforcement, firefighters and EMS to take quick action to the benefit of our communities. The mobility provided by these emergency ATVs proves essential in landscapes with difficult terrain, inaccessible trails or crowded spaces like festivals and sporting events. These vehicles aid in search-and-rescue efforts, storm response and disaster relief situations, and in transporting firefighting equipment and firefighters alike to hard-to-reach fires and hazmat emergencies. However, the current law providing exemption for emergency ATVs from vehicle registration requirements is overly restrictive and burdensome to our first responders.
 
That is why I plan to introduce legislation which will allow emergency ATVs to travel up to ten miles on public highways, rather than the current restriction of two miles. First responders can also use emergency ATVs to operate on streets closed or restricted for special events. Additionally, emergency ATVs will only need to be equipped with revolving or flashing lights, removing the requirement that they be equipped with sirens.

Please join me in sponsoring this important legislation to provide first responders with the tools they need to serve our communities. By modernizing the law for emergency ATVs, we will support police and fire departments and EMS agencies throughout the Commonwealth.