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A child is seen riding his coaster toy in the middle of the eastbound traffic lane of Loomis Street recently. The child traveled several blocks on the street, swerving back and forth in the lane before turning left, with no hand signals.
LUDINGTON — The Ludington Police Department is warning riders and parents that officers will take enforcement action against people who operate coaster toys and similar devices in violation of city ordinance.
Police said the department continues to receive complaints and has observed people operating the devices in unsafe ways or in areas where their use is prohibited.
The department said the regulations are intended to protect riders, pedestrians and motorists.
Under Sec. 58-158 of the Ludington City Code, the operation of skateboards, roller skates, roller blades, motorized and non-motorized coaster toys, motorized vehicles and similar devices is prohibited on certain sidewalks and other designated areas in the city.
Their use also is prohibited on recreational trails and sidewalks in city parks, although roller skates and roller blades may be used on recreational trails or in parks unless otherwise prohibited by park regulations or a traffic control order.
The ordinance allows the police chief to issue traffic control orders prohibiting the devices on sidewalks, recreational trails, in parks or on other public property.
In addition to restrictions on where the devices can be operated, the ordinance prohibits riders from engaging in tricks or other unsafe operation while using a skateboard, roller skates, roller blades, coaster toy, toy vehicle or similar device.
Police are reminding riders that proper operation involves more than where a device may be used. Riders are expected to remain alert, obey traffic laws and operate the devices responsibly and only in approved areas.
The department also directed its warning to parents and guardians, noting that a rider’s age does not necessarily prevent enforcement action. Parents or guardians also could be held accountable if they knowingly allow a child to violate the law.
Police encouraged parents to know what devices their children are using and to review city regulations and safe riding practices with them.
“A few minutes spent reviewing safe operation and the ordinance could prevent a citation — or, more importantly, an accident,” a Facebook post by Ludington Police Department stated.
A violation of Sec. 58-158 or a traffic control order or park regulation issued under the ordinance is a civil infraction.
The ordinance also gives the police chief authority to impound a skateboard, roller skates, roller blades, motorized or non-motorized coaster toy, motorized vehicle or similar device for up to 30 days, either in place of or in addition to other penalties.
Police said previous warnings and reminders have not stopped all violations and that officers will continue addressing unsafe or improper operation of the devices.
Click here to read the city ordinance.
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