Proposal targets off-road driving

Walter C. Jones

ATLANTA - The drivers of all-terrain vehicles who go up a creek would be breaking the law if the General Assembly passes a measure proposed by state Rep. Chuck Sims, R-Ambrose.

House Bill 207 would make it illegal for off-road vehicles to drive up rivers or creeks except for crossing them. He said the aim is to prevent silt, stop trespassing and to combat the growing of marijuana in areas accessible only by water.

"In times of drought when the water levels are really, really low, these drivers of ATVs just jump down in the river and ride right up the river," he said.

However, it may not have universal appeal in the House Motor Vehicles Committee where it was assigned.

"I do run into some problems over and over in that committee," Sims said.

He introduced the same bill last year late in the session, but it died. He has also tried other bills restricting who can ride ATVs and where they can operate, often failing to gain traction.

Sims is an undertaker by profession and has often spoken passionately in the House about his frustration at seeing the bodies of children killed in ATV accidents.

On the other hand, off-road vehicles are popular in many rural areas of the state, and their owners have mobilized to persuade many of their legislators to oppose Sims' bills.

Source: http://www.jacksonville.com/news/georgia/2009-02-04/story/proposal_targets_off_road_driving

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