CANYON CITY An ordinance allowing adults to drive ATVs on county roads is in the works.

The Grant County Court on Wednesday voted unanimously to pursue an ordinance to allow quads and side-by-sides to run on county roads. The proposal comes as the John Day City Council is considering a similar ordinance to allow ATVs on city streets.

Sheriff Glenn Palmer proposed the ordinance to the county, saying he supports it. About 20 people attended the Court meeting Wednesday, with several residents backing the idea.

The next step is for the county to come up with a draft ordinance, and hold a hearing.

Palmer is proposing that licensed drivers age 18 and older would be able to drive their ATVs on county roads, whether paved or gravel. Drivers would need to follow the state laws regarding licensing, liability insurance and accident reporting.

Palmer noted that ranchers and others are already allowed to use ATVs on county roads for their work.

Some recreational users also are out there, he acknowleged.

To be honest, its going on anyway, he said.

Asked what he would do about people violating the rules, Palmer said police can use their discretion in issuing citations, but he also sees such situations as opportunities to educate the drivers about the laws.

He said he would deal with that on a case-by-case basis.

Palmer said he believes the riders backing the law are responsible adults, and will want to make it work. He urged the supporters to watch out for problem activities, such as cutting cookies that leave ruts in the gravel roads, and either talk to the driver themselves or report it to police.

He stressed that if problems became a big issue, the county might need to rescind the law.

Neither the county nor the city ordinance is in effect yet. Public hearings must be held to enact them.

Even with an ordinance for local streets, ATVs are not allowed on state and federal highways. Municipal laws can allow ATVs to cross such highways to get from one legal roadway to another.