Legislator Norma Gonsalves (R-East Meadow) filed recently a new local law which will regulate, strengthen penalties and empower law enforcement to seize and impound off-road vehicles, motor scooters and all-terrain vehicles.

The new law named The Mark Sattler Law is in memory of Mark Sattler, 12, of Levittown who died of massive internal injuries after an upstate ATV crash on April 29, 2005.

According to state police, the Island Trees Middle School student was driving the ATV with his 24-year-old brother riding as a passenger when he lost control of it and went off the road. Police said the ATV hit a dirt embankment and then several trees.

The law would make it illegal to operate off-road vehicles on Nassau County property and other publicly owned property such as shopping center parking lots, school yards and public parks. In addition, the law strengthens penalties for the improper use of these vehicles by increasing fines for violations of existing restrictions, and imposes new fines for the new restrictions. It also empowers law enforcement to seize and impound these vehicles when used in violations of the law.

"There are too many off-road vehicles today that are being used by unlicensed young people whose safety is always at risk," stated Legislator Gonsalves. The numbers of accidents and serious injuries have been increasing over the last five years. "Parking lots, schools, fields and shopping centers are not the place for these vehicles. They are not only a weapon in the hands of a young person but also a possible menace for passing motorists and pedestrians," continued Gonsalves.

According to a representative at the Nassau County Police Department's Highway Division ATV and off-road vehicle usage has always been illegal on roadways. New York State vehicle and traffic law states the use of ATVs is prohibited on any highway or public land.

It has been reported that 40 percent of related injuries between 2000 and 2005 were suffered by young persons 15 years old and under.

Legislator Dave Mejias (D-North Massapequa) has long since been a proponent of enforcing a zero tolerance approach for anyone illegally using an ATV. According to a local law authored by Legislator Mejias and approved by the legislature last year, anyone caught riding an ATV in Nassau County on public roads or land can be fined up to $500 and police can impound the vehicle.

"It is no longer an accident waiting to happen. It already has. If you operate an ATV on any Nassau County road or in our parks or preserves, you are breaking the law," Mejias said in February after another deadly ATV accident.

The law filed by Gonsalves with the Nassau County Clerk to the legislature should be reported to various legislative committees and a full vote is expected.