MAN - The Man Town Council discussed cracking down on people joyriding on ATVs who have been riding after dark, riding without helmets and riding in areas where ATV traffic is forbidden at the September councilmeeting.

Councilman Tim Stacy brought up the topic, saying that there had been some problems with four wheeled ATVs and dirtbikes coming across the four lane.

Mayor Jim Blevins noted that many of the joyriders who are causing problems are local residents and local youths, some of whom are violating other ATV laws. Blevins said there have been more problems with local joyriders tearing around in the South Man area.

"We have caught them in the past, but it does no good," Blevins said. "Maybe it's time we look into impounding their vehicles. It looks to me that we may have to impound them to get anything done."

Mayor Blevins noted the law says all riders must wear helmets and operate machines in the daytime but many of the local joyriders don't.

Councilman Jimmy Justice said many of them are not even 16 years of age.

The situation is more than just a nuisance. Councilmember Mavis Toler noted that there was almost a dangerous accident recently where two local children riding ATVs nearly got clipped by an automobile earlier this past week.

Former councilman Darrell Mangrum said that when he was on the council the city discussed adopting the Hatfield-McCoy Regional Recreation Authority guidelines and safety measures, which were stricter than the guidelines the town had adopted for itself, but the proposal got bogged down and did not pass.

Councilman Johnny Fekete, who is the deputy director of the HMRRA, noted that the Authority's regulations are stricter than the towns and that the state's guidelines are based on Hatfield-McCoys.

Councilmembers said the idea might be a good one to revisit.

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