New rules for ATVs, UTVs explained

Confused over new rules regarding use of ATV/UTVs on Marathon County highways?

No need to be. A newly passed county ordinance is pretty straightforward.

Marathon County Highway Commissioner Jim Griesbach explained the rules of the road when it comes to ATV/UTVs in a Monday interview.

The commissioner said ATV/UTV enthusiasts can ride their vehicles on all county highways except those in towns that ban their use on local roads (the towns of Rib Falls, Marathon and Stettin on the county’s west side) and on those highways that are marked otherwise. These no-ride highways include county highways near the Wausau metro area, as well as a handful of high volume highways.

These no-ride stretches include:

n CTH C, STH 97 to Rozellville, in the town of Day.

n CTH E, city of Marshfield to Elm Tree Rd., town of McMillan.

n CTH AAA, town of McMillan near the city of Marshfield.

n CTH N, CTH S (South) to the city of Wausau, towns of Cassel, Marathon and Rib Mountain.

n CTH A, CTH O to CTH K, town of Berlin.

n All of CTH K. Griesbach said the hours of operation for ATV/UTVs is 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. The ATV/UTV speed limit is 35 miles per hour.

He said that while young people age 12 to 15 are able to ride ATV trails, you have to be age 16 with a valid driver’s license to travel on county highways.

The commissioner said all ATV/UTVs on county highways must be insured with minimum coverages of $10,000 for property, $25,000 for a single injury and $50,000 for multiple injuries.

Griesbach said there has not been a lot of ATV/UTV use of county highways this winter but expects more in the spring when temperatures are warmer.