by Threats of Fines for Fueling Off-Road Vehicles in Cleveland
In Cleveland, police are warning gas station employees about possible fines of $100 if they fuel motorcycles or ATVs that are not registered. Critics argue that the law is vague and rarely enforced in practice. Although new incidents continue to be recorded, no fines have been issued since the beginning of August.
Observation of Violations
On August 2, surveillance cameras recorded a mass ride of motorcycles and ATVs on Denison Avenue near W. 65th Street. Participants in the movement were jumping into oncoming lanes and using local gas stations. Police are analyzing the footage to determine whether both drivers and gas station employees can be held accountable.
Law with Limited Application
Police Chief Annie Todd stated that such actions create inconveniences for the community, so law enforcement is trying to combat the violators. The law, passed in 2017, allows for fining both those who fuel unregistered vehicles and those who allow the sale of fuel. However, since the law came into effect, it has been applied only nine times, and only five cases ended in guilty verdicts.
NEWS: Cleveland residents are outraged as dozens of bikers terrorized the streets for hours and police refused to stop them. Resident: “You and this mayor who runs our city need to take back control of the city for which we pay property taxes.”
Risks for Gas Station Employees
Criminal defense attorney Susan Moran expressed concern about the safety of employees who may be at risk if they try to prevent refueling. She noted that modern systems do not allow employees to constantly monitor the type of vehicles being refueled, and an attempt to stop the process could lead to a conflict with aggressive visitors.
The issue of safety on the roads and at gas stations remains relevant, and perhaps the presence of police officers near gas stations will be needed to effectively solve the problem. However, as practice shows, legislative initiatives do not always find adequate implementation in real life, which creates additional difficulties for all participants in the situation.
