I will soon re-introduce Senate Bill 834 from last session, my legislation to broaden the provisions of Act 92 of 2022 which addressed unlawful operations of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and off-road vehicles in urban areas. The General Assembly’s bipartisan passage of Act 92 was a positive first step, particularly after state police responded to 40 motorbikes & ATVs racing along the Interstate 78 corridor in eastern Pennsylvania that year, spilling out on to other nearby congested state highways and causing a multi-vehicle crash. 
 
An unmarked car from the state attorney general’s office was also on its way to a hospital in July 2022 to transport an injured Allentown police detective. The vehicle was swarmed by dirt bike and ATV riders in South Whitehall Township despite it activating its lights and sirens, as riders popped wheelies and swerved to prevent the car driver’s ability to pass them. 
 
This dangerous incident shows how these actions put not only our law enforcement officers at risk but also pedestrians and the motoring public at large. Therefore, my bill further amends Title 75 to add ATVs and dirt bikes to Section 3733 regarding fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer. It also adds ATVs and dirt bikes to Section 3746 of Title 75 relating to reckless driving, with enhanced penalties for subsequent offenses as well as for persons acting and driving recklessly while in groups. 

The bill’s provisions will also be applicable to expanded urban areas, preserving the intent of the original legislation. It will not conflict with existing local ordinances such as those permitting ATV use on designated signed rural roads. 
 
My hope with this bill is to further assist law enforcement officers with curbing the improper use of these vehicles on busy community streets, and prevent the endangering of citizens in the process.
 

Please join in sponsoring this piece of legislation.