All-terrain vehicle SAFETY CERTIFICATE required

[dave1949]

I spoke with "Big Brother". He said the part they are enforcing is that the driver must have a driver's license and be wearing safety equipment - helmet, gloves, goggles if on the road. Big Brother could not tell me where to physically get a safety certificate.

We have had our share of child deaths on ATVs. Kids need big brothers.

True, kids do need a big brother sometimes.

I think ATV clubs would go a long ways towards weeding out or reforming the ones that make trouble. Access and safety should be of a concern to them if they want the sport well received/accepted.

If an ATV club has a vested interest in a trail system, they aren't about to let outsiders ruin it for them, plus they are on the trails enough to watch what is going on. They also have a good chance of actually knowing who the trouble makers are. It's possible many issues would get resolved without the landowner.
Dave.

 

[charlz]

I think ATV clubs would go a long ways towards weeding out or reforming the ones that make trouble. Access and safety should be of a concern to them if they want the sport well received/accepted.

Not likely. The ATV'ers that cause damage etc are not one the ones that belong to clubs.


Key problem with ATV's seems to be that the average person's IQ drops at least 100 points as soon as they get on it :laughing:

 

[RadarTech]

ya know this post made me go out and read the NC law on this:
http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/recreation/uwharrie/senate_bill_189.pdf

Interesting part is how the rule is exempted if you are hunting...
I wonder if fishing can be added to that...
I have a trout pond about 1/2 mile down the road from my property..

I would really like to ride the ATV down there to fish...
Cheaper on gas...

Later,
J

 

[dave1949]

Not likely. The ATV'ers that cause damage etc are not one the ones that belong to clubs.


Key problem with ATV's seems to be that the average person's IQ drops at least 100 points as soon as they get on it :laughing:

I think you are probably correct that the trouble makers wouldn't belong to a club, however, with a club presence, there are that many more eyes around. That in itself, will modify some behaviors.

Additionally, if a club invests time, sweat and some funds into trail maintenance and has good landowner contacts, they have an interest in preserving those things. They are no longer just neutral on destructive practices by others on 'their' trails. Now it is their work getting ruined.

The issues for snowmobiles and ATVs are not exactly the same, but snowmobile clubs have worked well for responsible access to club-maintained trails. I hope it would work similarly for ATV clubs.

This probably applies more to heavily forested areas where an ATV won't be going far without being on a trail or logging lane of some sort.

I know there are ATV and similar riders who purchase these and think the world owes them a place to ride it. For those folks, stiff fines and confiscation of toys is the answer IMHO.
Dave.

 

[ronjhall]

Jim, thanks for pointing out the "saddle" in the definition. Our local paper had a notice from the police that ATV drivers must have the safety certificate in their possession.

I never heard of it, or where to acquire one, they just referenced the web site. Apparently some kids in town are having too much fun and they are being warned.

Have to ask. Did you get a ATV or are you worried about your golf cart?

 

[Steve_Miller]

Here's what we have to deal with if you want to take the time to go through it all. I sold mine several years ago as it wasn't worth the extra money for all I rode it.

OHV Riders Handbook | Natural Resources | Government of Nova Scotia

Steve

 

[eddy622611]

atvsafety.org

 

[escavader]

Im VP of the NARROW GAUGE RIDERS ATV CLUB here in western MAINE.It is required in this state that kids have a safety course .Its also true we have alot of eyes out there ,and ive stopped a few myself,but for the most part folks are friendly,and grateful for the hard work we put in to gain access and to maintain trails[thats where BOTA comes in:thumbsup:]We dont have many problems,people tend to be over anxious to ride in mud season,but we are all friends and neighbors up here and police ourselves for the most part.
Alot of skeptical landownners who gave us a chance say they are happier seeing friends and neighbors riding the trails,because there are so many eyes out there.In this state you cant ride on anothers property without permission,and on our trail system [several hundred miles of it] we gain all the permission from the landowners.WEalso have a landowner appreciation dinner each fall .Alot of work,between that and keeping up with the maintaining of good safe trails,and bridges.
Please join a club if you ride on any club trails.strength in numbers
ALAN

 

[txdon]

Have to ask. Did you get a ATV or are you worried about your golf cart?

Neither. I thought I missed a new law. I just never heard of a Safety Certificate or the law on ATVs. The PD in the nearby town was warning the kids, via newspaper, they will have to present the certificate. I did find out, from atvsafety.org, that the closest place that has classes is 50 miles away. It seems like a law that expected little compliance or enforcement.

 

[charlz]

I think you are probably correct that the trouble makers wouldn't belong to a club, however, with a club presence, there are that many more eyes around. That in itself, will modify some behaviors.

Additionally, if a club invests time, sweat and some funds into trail maintenance and has good landowner contacts, they have an interest in preserving those things. They are no longer just neutral on destructive practices by others on 'their' trails. Now it is their work getting ruined.

Well probably the biggest difference is where you are many trail systems are likely on private land. Out here in the wide-open west almost all trails are on public land. I can go out in the winter months and ride 50-60 miles and never see another rider. Lots of opportunity for the less-caring to tear things up.