Dodge County sheriff warns of citations, arrests for off-road vehicles on public roads

Sheriff Brian Robinson says complaints have increased about four-wheelers and side-by-sides on county roads and that enforcement will now be stepped up.

EASTMAN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Dodge County Sheriff Brian Robinson is warning drivers of four-wheelers, side-by-sides and other off-road vehicles to stay off public roadways, saying citations and arrests are coming for violators.

In a video message posted on social media Tuesday, Robinson said his office has received multiple complaints about people riding unauthorized vehicles on county roads.

“It has come to my attention—I’m getting a lot of complaints about the 4-wheelers, side-by-sides, unauthorized vehicles on the roadway,” Robinson said.

Robinson did not cite specific incidents or names, simply saying the vehicles “are tearing up the dirt roads” and that “they are harassing people.”

Robinson said he has been “as lenient as I possibly can,” but warned enforcement will now increase.

“I’m going to start calling outside agencies to come in and assist if need be,” he said. “We’re going to start issuing citations, making arrests, or whatever we need to do to stop this problem.”

He added he may ask the Georgia State Patrol and other agencies to help if violations continue.

According to the Georgia Department of Public Safety, off-road vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles, side-by-sides, and most low-speed vehicles are generally prohibited on state and county highways unless specifically authorized by local ordinance. Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-331) allows local governments to designate certain public streets for limited shared use by motorized carts and other vehicles, but only under specific conditions.

Robinson ended his message by urging cooperation from residents.

“I hope that everybody will work with me on this and try to solve this problem,” he said.