Alabama

Some links related to abuse of public lands by off-road vehicle riders:

• Paul Vertrees from Backcountry Hunters & Anglers explains just what the problem is:

Alan Pollock

CHATHAM — At the request of Orleans officials, the Chatham board of selectmen Tuesday voted to resume responsibility for shorebird monitoring and beach patrols on Chatham's three-quarter-mile stretch of North Beach. The decision clears the way for the town to extend its beach management agreement with Orleans, keeping beach access affordable for Chatham off-road vehicle users.

If the agreement is, in fact, extended for another year, Chatham would retain the right to sell its own resident ORV permits for its portion of the beach. Nonresidents would be required to purchase their stickers through the town of Orleans, as they did this year.

Mark R. Kent

A 4-year-old girl was killed Monday night and her grandfather was injured in an all-terrain vehicle accident in Foley, according to police.

Another girl riding on the ATV escaped injury, police Lt. David White said.

Pat Peterson

This quiet, country road in rural Baldwin County hasn't seen this much action in years! Late last week, a sheriff's deputy on routine patrol noticed a four-wheeler barrelling down Maytower Road in the Stockton community. The driver wasn't wearing a helmet, had no protective gear and was illegally operating the A.T.V. on a public street.

Joelle Motes

People rely on four-wheelers for many reasons--transportation, hauling, recreation--but if not used correctly, they can create problems and hazards.

County and city law enforcement alike receive numerous complaints each week concerning all-terrain vehicles.

Chris Thornton at Performance Power Sports shows customers the advisory against riding on public roads that is posted on every all-terrain vehicle but says that not many heed the warning.

Four-wheelers are not street legal.

"They're not made to be driven on the public roadway," Clanton police chief Brian Stilwell said.

Tom Smith

UNDERWOOD - Lauderdale County Solid Waste Manager Robert Bevis has asked the sheriff's department to help stop four-wheeler operators from trespassing at the Lauderdale County Landfill.

Bevis said four-wheelers are damaging a portion of the permitted landfill area.

Jillian Kramer

ATV riders are chewing up terrain and tax dollars, according to state and local officials, who are cracking down on riders.

All-terrain vehicles roaring down roadsides are causing erosion and landslides and wreaking havoc on construction projects, according to the Alabama Department of Transportation.

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) -- Alabama authorities are clamping down on drivers riding ATVs illegally on state land bordering highways, causing thousands of dollars in damages, particularly at road construction sites.

ATV tracks cause erosion, slope damage and landslides.

Montgomery, Al. (WSFA) -- If you've ever ridden an ATV, you know how fun a day of riding can be.

Take your mind off of safety for one second, however, and things can quickly turn dangerous.

Case in point: an accident this weekend along a public road in Russell County that left one boy dead.

Investigators say irresponsible driving may have led to the crash.