OLIVER SPRINGS, Tenn. — The Tennessee State Senate passed a bill on Monday, SB 1131, to allow ATVs and other off-road vehicles to drive on certain state highways in East Tennessee.
Sen. Ken Yager's (R-Kingston) bill would allow ATVs to drive on parts of TN-330 and TN-62 during the day.
"It will bring people in Oliver Springs who are gonna buy gas, stop and get lunch," Yager said.
The East Tennessee Senator said he proposed the bill at the urging of Oliver Springs Mayor Jason Stiltner.
Windrock Park, a 73,000-acre, off-roading destination, which attracts hundreds of thousands of people to East Tennessee is a few miles away from Downtown Oliver Springs. The path from Windrock to the downtown area doesn't allow ATVs or side-by-sides on the road, for most of the year.
"Downtown Oliver Springs is a pretty sleepy little area now," said Brent Galloway, the General Manager of Windrock. "It would allow customers to ride into town which would help give the area an economic boost."
Galloway said the side-by-sides Windrock rents to customers can travel the speed limits on the roads listed in the proposed bill. He said it's safe, as long as the driver is wearing their seatbelt and helmet.
"We worked with the Department of Safety, who reviewed the proposal and signed off on the proposal," Yager said. "So, yes, I don't have a concern there."
Other areas in Tennessee allow ATVs on roads, including in Fentress, Morgan, Roane, Anderson, Scott and Campbell counties.
The Tennessee House would have to pass the bill and the governor would have to sign it before it becomes law.