The Mesquite Police Department is advising Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) riders to stay on designated streets and established trails open to OHVs to travel to the desert. Riders are reminded that some trails are not open to motorized vehicles. Additionally, riders should not ride in areas where native plants and conservation areas could be damaged.

Riders wishing to operate OHVs on private property open to OHV use must have permission from the property owner. The city code and Mesquite Off-Highway Vehicle Travel Map, which identifies the designated public streets, can be found by accessing www.mesquitenv.gov (at Find>Maps>ATV Travel Map).

All current developments and those under construction have areas of natural habitat, which cannot be disturbed or disrupted. The aesthetics and natural landscaping must be protected and maintained. Some riders are causing permanent damage to these areas, which include the slopes and sides of the washes.

OHV riders must meet certain criteria and abide by the regulations set forth in state and local laws. Riders should consult the regulations in the city code to ensure compliance before operating OHVs on designated public streets. Notably, operators must be 16 years of age or older and have a valid driver’s license. Additionally, all operators and passengers of any OHV must wear helmets.

There is a maximum speed limit

for the operation of every OHV of twenty (20) miles per hour within the city limits when the OHV is within five hundred feet of any residential home or neighborhood or the OHV is being operated on any designated street.

City code also establishes that there shall be no more than the approved number of occupants per vehicle design riding the OHV and in any case there shall be no more than two (2) occupants, including any operator and passenger, unless the OHV is expressly designed to seat more than two (2) occupants and is capable of seating more than two (2) occupants.

OHV use is permitted between one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset.

In order to operate an OHV on a designated street, an OHV must meet the following equipment requirements: have at least one headlamp that illuminates objects at least five hundred feet (500') ahead of the vehicle; have at least one tail lamp that is visible from at least five hundred feet (500') behind the vehicle; have at least one red reflector on the rear of the vehicle, unless the tail lamp is red and reflective; have a stop lamp on the rear of the vehicle; and have a muffler which is in working order and which is in constant operation when the vehicle is running. Headlamps on OHVs are required to be “on” during operation.