DRIVERS may not know that they could be slapped with a $100 fine if they pull up to a gas station in a certain vehicle.
Law enforcement is cracking down on drivers who fill up without having the proper paperwork, as well as the gas station clerks who help them.
Dirt bike and ATV drivers could be hit with a fine for filling up illegal vehicles at gas stations[/caption]
Footage shows scores of off-road drivers congregating at a gas station in Cleveland[/caption]
The push comes as fresh surveillance video captured scores of off-road vehicle enthusiasts wreaking havoc on the streets of Cleveland, Ohio, earlier this month.
In the Real Time Crime Center footage, riders are seen accelerating into oncoming cars and jamming traffic between refueling their tanks at a nearby gas station.
Cleveland Police Chief Annie Todd said the scores of drivers were filmed “doing stunts” on Denison Avenue and W 65 Street on the city’s west side.
“I think they were out there having fun, but it’s causing a nuisance to the entire community,” Todd told ABC affiliate WEWS.
“We’re going back to look at the participants but also the gas stations to see if they were actually allowing them to pump gas.”
According to a bill passed in 2017, it’s illegal to fuel a dirt bike or ATV at a gas station unless it’s trailered or transported by another vehicle.
Police can now ticket gas stations for the offense – although, so far, only nine alleged offenders have been cited.
However, for drivers the violation is considered a minor misdemeanor punishable by a $100 fine.
This means that anyone filling up an ATV or dirt bike without the proper paperwork could get an instant fee.
So far, no drivers have been ticketed, police say.
Susan Moarn, a criminal defense attorney and Adjunct Professor at Case Western University argued that the “broad language” of the law is unfair on gas station clerks.
She said, “I’m very disturbed by the language of this statute because it’s just so non-descript.
“Is she [the clerk] supposed to be looking out the window while this is happening to make sure that appropriate vehicles are using the machines?
“This isn’t 1950. This isn’t when we’d send someone out to fill up your car.”
So far, no drivers have been caught[/caption]
Police can now ticket gas stations for the offense[/caption]
The riders cause chaos by performing ‘stunts’ and accelerating towards oncoming drivers[/caption]
Moran also warned of a potential danger to gas station staff.
“How scary, right?” she said.
“So, if a bunch of people show up with vehicles they’re trying to fill up, and if she’s got to maybe turn off from the inside, they’ll [the drivers] come in probably angry wanting answers and so now we have a confrontation.”
Cleveland has long been plagued by illegal street takeovers and racing by dangerous drivers who authorities have described as “acting like the wild west”.
What is reckless driving?
Laws across the country are cracking down on careless drivers who endanger other people on the road. Here are some behaviors that are considered reckless driving:
- Speeding
- Street racing
- Aggressive driving/road rage
- Tailgating
- Driving under the influence
- Using a phone while driving
- Running red lights
- Inattentive driving
- Improperly changing lanes
- Not signaling
- Carrying too many passengers
- Weaving in and out of traffic
In December, new measures were introduced to specifically clamp down on speeding – with offenders facing fines of up to $1,000 or a six-month jail sentence.
But stunts such as wheelies, burnouts, doughnuts, drifting, intersections and blocking were also banned as part of the crackdown.
The move followed major disruptions on Cleveland’s roads last September that saw drivers performing terrifying stunts, including pointing guns at people, lighting fireworks and trying to start fires.
