Now that the weather has shown some signs of warmth, some residents have taken their all-terrain vehicles out for a drive.

While the majority of drivers have been responsible, the Mower County Sheriff’s Office has received complaints from property owners about damage the vehicles leave behind, Sheriff Terese Amazi said.

In March, at least five people have reported damage to their driveways and fields left by ATVs.

"If people were responsible, we wouldn't have these problems, but they're not," Amazi said.

The ruts left by some ATV drivers also concern the county engineer, Michal Hanson. He said the county has had to fix a ditch near the country club on Mower County Highway 46 about three times.

"It rips it up, tears it up," Hanson said. To fix the ditches, the county has to smooth the ground out and reseed it.

A bill passing through the Legislature, however, may help local governments make stricter penalties for those who illegally drive ATVs.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville, would ban ditch driving along rights of way, unless approved by the local government that maintains the road. It would also establish a toll-free hot line to report damage from off-road vehicles, increase penalties for violations and reimburse local governments for repairs.

Amazi agrees with making penalties stricter, if the Mower County Board of Commissioners would be able to approve it. Currently, ATV drivers who violate the law are issued a citation. Property owners who have suffered damage need to file a civil case to be reimbursed for damages.

Amazi would like property damage responsibilities to be factored into criminal court.

Citing illegal ATV driving is difficult because law enforcement has to see them in action, just like other vehicle violations, Amazi said.

ATVs are allowed to drive in ditches during certain months of the year while crossing over to other roads. They also are allowed on private property, as long as they have the owners' consent. There are no trails specifically for ATVs in Mower County.

-- The Associated Press contributed to this report

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at cari.quam@austindailyherald.com