ATV Riders Causing Concern in Marshall County

Jerry Echemann

Viola, WV -- Less than a week after a serious ATV accident in Marshall County, some residents of Viola are worried about the rest of the summer season.

Viola is a common place to see ATV's as a lot of people have them.

Those same people say it's out-of-towners who come in each weekend that make things dangerous.

Many people arrive there on or with their ATV's.

Evey Jones is often seen around there on her ATV near her farm not far from a bar known as Bonnie's.

She's one local who's hesitant to ride on the weekends this time of year.

"All week it's quiet. Then everyone comes in from Pennsylvania and other states. They drive very fast on the roads and make it unsafe for the residents who live out here," Jones said.

The mud bog's owner, Ralph Moore, says his venue does not bring as many ATV's as some think, and that the majority drive responsibility.

"I don't really see problem, some drive too fast. Most are locals riding around. We have them here for the mud bog and that," said Moore.

You're not supposed to have a passenger on an ATV.

When a 7 News crew was on scene Sunday, that very act could be seen.

any agree more deputies looking for violators would help.

"Days they have events going on they need to patrol it. Make sure everybody is observing the speed limit and carrying insurance on their ATV's. And going by the rules the way everybody else has to," Jones said.

"Some drive too fast down the road. But how do you control it," asked Moore.

One ATV rider from nearby western Pennsylvania said he enjoys coming to the mud bogs.

He said he can also sympathize with those who live in Viola.

"It probably is a problem to some residents, because of noise and crossing onto private property. If they don't respect other people's property, it's going to be a problem," said Rick Dorsey.

Deputies did beef up patrols around Viola over Memorial Day Weekend, and plan to do so again on other weekends during the summer season.

Source: http://www.wtrf.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=60108

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