GEORGIA — For many, an off-road vehicle is a way to get outside and enjoy the warm summer weather.
Be it a multipurpose, off-highway vehicle, an all-terrain vehicle, a low-speed vehicle or a golf cart, there are several different ways to get around and have a good time.
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The Georgia Department of Public Safety wants those enjoying their outdoor rides to remember that they need to be careful.
From January 1, through June 20 of this year, the department says 14 people have died in 42 separate crashes with 114 people injured statewide.
Investigators said that of the 14 deaths, 8 were from multipurpose vehicles and 6 were from ATV’s.
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“These vehicles can be fun and useful on trails, private land, and designated county roads. But they come with serious risks—especially when not operated safely,” said Colonel William W. Hitchens III, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety.
In December of 2023, the state put in place a voluntary registration system for multipurpose vehicles, allowing them to be used on county roads. Registered vehicles are required to have features intended for utility use only.
Fourteen Off-Road Vehicle Fatalities Statewide: Georgia Troopers Urge Caution with ATVs, Golf Carts, and MPOHVs (ATLANTA, GA) – With the summer season in full swing, the Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS) is reminding everyone to stay safe when using multipurpose off-highway vehicles (MPOHVs), all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), low-speed vehicles (LSVs), and golf carts. Between January 1 through June 20, 2025, the Georgia State Patrol investigated 42 crashes involving MPHOVs and ATVs, resulting in 13 fatalities (14 statewide) and 64 serious injuries (114 statewide) on Georgia’s roadways. Of the 14 fatalities, eight involved MPOHVs and six were ATVs. One tragic incident occurred on May 31, in Southeast Georgia, when a 16-year-old passenger on an ATV was killed after the vehicle left the road and hit a tree. Another fatal crash occurred when a 39-year-old driver was found deceased under an overturned MPOHV on private property in Middle Georgia on June 15, 2025. “These vehicles can be fun and useful on trails, private land, and designated county roads. But they come with serious risks—especially when not operated safely,” said Colonel William W. Hitchens III, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety. On December 1, 2023, the Motor Vehicle Division of the Georgia Department of Revenue implemented the voluntary registration of multipurpose off-highway vehicles (MPOHVs) for use on county roads and began issuing metal license plates. Registered MPOHVs must have features specifically intended for utility use and meet several specifications. MPOHVs can only be driven on county roads and may cross city streets or state highways. Requirements for registration exclude vehicles with straddle seats, such as dirt bikes, three-wheelers, four-wheelers (ATVs), and any other vehicles with handlebar steering, straddle seats, or less than four wheels. Unregistered MPOHVS may continue to use vehicles solely for off-road purposes. The Department of Public Safety encourages all drivers and riders of these vehicles to learn and follow the safety guidelines recommended for each. Keep in mind, all applicable traffic laws are subject to the same insurance requirements and moving violations as other vehicles, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and distracted driving.
Posted by Georgia Department of Public Safety on Thursday, July 17, 2025
Unregistered multipurpose vehicles are supposed to be restricted to off-road use only according to state rules.
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