State cracks down on OHV compliance

James Gilbert

Since statistics indicate that less than a quarter of off-road vehicles currently registered in the state have the required OHV (off-highway vehicle) Decal, Arizona Game and Fish officers will be stepping up compliance enforcement efforts when out in the field.

“Our officers will be issuing citations to off-highway vehicle users who don’t have the required decal on their OHV,” announced Game and Fish Director Larry Voyles. “The program has been in effect and public education efforts have been ongoing for over a year now. The compliance rate is very disappointing, given the benefits the program would provide to recreationists.”

The $25 OHV Decal is good for one year from the date of purchase. Also, the motor vehicle department does not send renewal notices, so it is the owner's responsibility to make sure their vehicle is in compliance.

Game and Fish officers will be citing vehicle owners who fail to display the OHV Decals soon. The fine for not having the decal is $250. It can be obtained at any MVD office, MVD third-party service provider or online at www.servicearizona.com.

“Arizona Game and Fish officers have unequivocally demonstrated their ability to achieve compliance through aggressive law enforcement," Voyles said. "All OHV users should expect more special OHV law enforcement operations throughout the state beginning in January and going on through this spring until compliance numbers show a dramatic increase.”

James Harken, the OHV public information officer for the Arizona Game and Fish Department, said it is estimated that there are between 400,000 and 500,000 off-highway vehicles in Arizona. Of those, only 23 percent, or about 92,000, have the decal.

The OHV Decal program took effect Jan. 1, 2009, and requires the annual purchase of a decal for any off-highway vehicle designed by the manufacturer primarily for use over unimproved terrain and weighing 1,800 pounds or less. This includes most all-terrain vehicles, side-by-sides (utility vehicles), dirt bikes and some sand rails.

“The department has worked with a number of organized OHV groups who all supported this legislation. They have a right to expect the same level of compliance and commitment from all OHV users,” said Voyles.

Voyles likened the “user play, user pay” type program for off-road vehicles to wildlife conservation, where hunters and anglers pay for wildlife conservation through the purchase of hunting and fishing licenses.

“Rates for hunting license compliance exceed 95 percent,” said Voyles, “Hunters and anglers have demonstrated their commitment to wildlife conservation for decades.”

The benefits of the OHV Decal program include information and education efforts, facility development and maintenance, maps, signage and reduced wildlife habitat impacts.

Other projects that are being funded through the OHV Decal program include the new "OHV Laws and Places to Ride" booklet that is an ongoing joint venture between Arizona State Parks and the Game and Fish Department.

A continued grant program to help clean up and restore riding areas and new informational outreach items like riding area maps will be created in the future.

Harkens said 60 percent of the money raised by the decals goes directly back into the program. Another 35 percent goes directly to Game and Fish, which plans to use some of the money to hire seven new OHV officers.

The remaining 5 percent goes to the state land department, which Harkens says will allow OHV riders to cross trust lands on denoted trails without having to get that agency's permit.

--

Source: http://www.yumasun.com/news/ohv-55280-compliance-state.html

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites