§2080. Operation of all-terrain and off-road vehicles

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, whenever an all- terrain vehicle or off-road vehicle is operated on a way, it is the vehicle and operator are subject to all provisions of this Title, except chapters 5, 7, 13 and 15. Whenever an all-terrain vehicle or off-road vehicle is operated on a way, the operator is not subject to the provisions of chapter 11, except when the an all-terrain vehicle is registered for highway use permitted in accordance with section 501, subsection 8.

Sec. 33. 29-A MRSA §2083, sub-§§1, 2 and 4, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, are amended to read:

1. Requirement. The following persons must wear protective headgear:

A. If under 15 years of age, a passenger on a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle or in an attached side car;

B. If under 15 years of age, an operator of an off-road motorcycle or motor-driven cycle;

C. An operator of a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, operating under a learner's permit or within one year of successfully completing a driving test; and

D. A passenger of an operator required to wear headgear.

2. Compliance. An operator of a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, parent or guardian may not allow a passenger under the age of 15 years to ride in violation of this section.

4. Public program. In furtherance of reasonable protective public policy, the Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Highway Safety must develop and implement a public information and education program designed to encourage helmet utilization by all motorcycle, motor-driven cycle and moped riders.

Sec. 34. 29-A MRSA §2092 is enacted to read:

§2092.__Operation of off-road vehicles

1.__Operation prohibited.__Unless the specific type of off- road vehicle is authorized to be operated on a public way by