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Sean Dieterich The Fourth of July weekend means more people coming up for a chance to relax and have fun. And the White Mountains allow for plenty of that, especially for ATV riders. However, the Navajo County Sheriff's Office wants riders to be aware of state laws when riding so they can have a good time and avoid a potentially costly ticket.
NCSO Chief Deputy Bernard Huser said ATVs are a big part of recreation in the area, but law enforcement agencies will be out to make sure people ride responsibly and within the law.
"Wherever you go, you need to read up on the laws and the regulations and follow them," he said. "We do and will enforce the ATV laws here in Navajo County."
The first thing to make sure of, Huser said, is that the ATV or any other type of off-highway vehicle is registered like any other vehicle in Arizona if it is going to travel down a public road. That means having anything a vehicle is required to have, such as insurance and registration, plus an OHV decal, available at the Motor Vehicle Division for $25.
"Nowadays, if you want to drive your ATV down any (public) roadway, it has to be licensed, it has to be registered, it has to be insured, it has to have an OHV sticker," he said.
As of Wednesday, all OHVs also need to have a certificate of title.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department put together an Arizona OHV Guide with monies from the OHV Recreation Fund. The guide highlights various aspects of ATV laws, including those put in place with the new law that took effect at the beginning of the year. Like a normal vehicle, Game and Fish said every OHV needs their equipment in good working order, including brakes, mufflers, U.S. Department of Agriculture-approved spark arrestors, lights and mirrors.
More information on OHV decals, laws and required equipment can be found in the Arizona OHV Guide at www.azgfd.gov/pdfs/outdoor_recreation/ohv/atv_brochure.pdf. Huser said any minor riding an OHV has to have a helmet. Hank Rogers, president of the Apache County ATV Roughriders, added they also need eye protection.
Once out on the roads, Game and Fish reminds riders to stay on existing roads, trails and routes. Riding in a manner that damages wildlife habitat, riparian areas, environment or property is prohibited. Game and Fish also warns riders to stay off roads and trails marked as closed.
The Game and Fish guide provides some sites for possible OHV recreation. As examples, it lists the Long Draw Route between Payson and Heber and the Saffel Canyon Trail in Eagar. Game and Fish recommends riders contact the appropriate land managers for information such as route closures, fire danger, special permits/permission and OHV rules.
For more information on the Long Draw Route, contact the Black Mesa Ranger District of the U.S. Forest Service at (928) 535-4481. For information on the Saffel Canyon Trail, call the Springerville Ranger District of the USFS at (928) 333-4372. Wherever one rides, Rogers said they need to be responsible and respectful and ride in a way that does not cause damage to the surrounding environments nor disturbs others in the forest, both non-motorized and motorized users.
"We can all work together and enjoy this wonderful place up here," he said. Huser agreed.
"You've got to respect other people's rights as well," he said.
Huser said those riding in violation can expect a ticket, with stiffer penalties possible as well, depending on the violation.
Rogers said the new OHV laws were good overall, especially where safety was concerned.
According to a 2007 Consumer Product Safety Commission report regarding ATVs, completed in October 2008, 542 ATV-related fatalities were reported in the United States in 2007. That number is down from 750 in 2006 and 804 in 2005. Arizona has 52 deaths reported from 2005 to 2007.
Of those deaths, the CPSC said 107 were of children under the age of 16. Again, that number is down from 139 in 2006 and 162 in 2005.
The CPSC did note that data collection for years 2005-2007 is ongoing, so those numbers could increase before the next annual report comes out.
Estimated injuries, during the same time period, were found to have increased. The CPSC estimated 150,900 injuries in 2007, up from 146,600 in 2006 and 136,700. The estimates, they said, come from data collected through their National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, a probability sample of U.S. hospitals with 24-hour emergency rooms and more than six beds.
In the same time period, the CPSC noted that estimated four-wheel ATV use has increased, from 7.8 million in 2005 to 9.5 million in 2007. Estimates of four-wheel ATV use, the CPSC notes, are based on ATV sales, operability rates and CPSC staff studies and models. Rogers said there are steps OHV riders can take to make sure they are safe when riding. One way, he said, is to make sure to never carry more people than the ATV is designed for.
"Unless the manufacturer has built the quad for two, you cannot ride double," he said.
Game and Fish also recommends against riding an OHV under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as state DUI laws also apply to OHV use. They also supply a list of recommended safety equipment for riders, including helmets, riding jerseys, riding pants, elbow pads and gloves.
Game and Fish does provide sources for OHV education and training. Local sources include Game and Fish and Arizona State Parks, while national sources include the ATV Safety Institute and the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council. For more information on these organizations and more, see the Game and Fish guide. As president of the Apache County ATV Roughriders, Rogers said he has a message for people coming up to enjoy the Fourth of July weekend and looking to have some fun in the forest.
"Enjoy yourself and have a safe time," he said.
The annual Arizona ATV Outlaw Trail Jamboree, sponsored by the Apache County ATV Roughriders, Town of Eagar, Town of Springerville, Apache County and Ride Now Powersports, is set for Sept. 8-12 in Apache County. For more information, visit www.azatvoutlawtrail.com.
Source: http://www.wmicentral.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20340484&BRD=2264&PAG=461&dept_id=505965&rfi=6 |
