Editorial: Riders of ATVs, beware

A Clarksville resident found himself in a heap of trouble last Sunday for doing something stupid. He told police that while chasing the riders of four all-terrain vehicles off his property, he fired shots into the air from his truck. He is free on $25,000 bond while facing charges of assault, reckless endangerment and harassment

There are, of course, better ways to deal with trespassers, like calling the police. The use of a gun in this instance is inexcusable. However, it is easy to understand the frustration of property owners who are pestered by the inconsiderate, destructive and illegal behavior of some ATV riders

Purchasing an ATV does not give one the right to ride it on public roads or across private property without permission of landowners. These vehicles are noisy, polluting, can destroy crops and cause soil erosion on hillsides. And even when land is posted against trespassing, landowners could find themselves sued by riders injured on their property.

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Source: http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/editorial/11-13-2009-Riders-of-ATVs--editorial

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