Officers caution use of off road vehicles
Injuries on the rise
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

The enjoyment of an afternoon of riding a 4-wheeler can quickly turn to disaster when the vehicles are not property operated.

Indiana Conservation Officers can quickly back up that claim with statistics with 66 injuries and seven deaths reported as of May of this year in the State of Indiana.

"It just takes a split second for anything to happen," noted ICO Steve Miller, who has worked three off road vehicle accidents in the past two weeks. He's seen the worst and says there are several factors that come into play and can make riding these vehicles dangerous even deadly.

First, Miller notes that the off road vehicles should be operated by the people they are designed for - not by children. "They simply don't have the size and stature to operate them," he noted. Secondly, he noted that tires on the off road vehicles are not made to travel on roadways, it's contrary to what they were designed for - off road.

"Like any recreational vehicle, the proper safety equipment should be worn," he stressed. Protective equipment for an off road vehicle would include a helmet, chest protection, eye protection and gloves at least.

Public Information Officer Bill Beville noted that off road vehicle accidents rival drownings. "These practical, handy vehicles are being operated by children and that's a problem," he noted.

While the increasingly popular sport of riding off road vehicles can be a lot of fun, it can also be deadly and that's what officers would like to prevent. "It's a major problem," Beville said, adding the problem is kids who are not licensed are riding them trying to climb hills causing rollovers and they are also speeding on the roadways. You must be a licensed driver and have the vehicle registered to ride on a roadway.

Another problem officers are facing is people operating the off road vehicles on other people's property without their consent. "If you don't have written permission, don't ride on someone else's property," Beville noted, saying it's that simple.

Every year there are fatalities involving juveniles on off road vehicles. And every year there are numerous accidents with injuries that will affect some children for their lives.

Both Beville and Miller noted they want to increase public awareness of the risks of off road vehicle operation and emphasize that those
operating them wear the proper gear. These factors can minimize accidents and injuries.

Did you know a person operating an off road vehicle is not to:

· Drive at a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and proper having due regard for existing conditions;

· Operate under the influence of liquor or narcotic drug;

· Operate during the hours from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise without displaying a lighted headlight and lighted taillight.

· Operate in a forest nursery, a planting area, or public land posted or reasonably identified as an area of forest or plant reproduction and when growing stock may be damaged.

· Operate on property without consent of landowner.

· Operate on or across a cemetery or burial ground.

· Operate vehicle with loaded firearm in possession.

And there's more. Indiana Code 14-16-1-23 gives a full list of what is against the law when operating an off road vehicle. Conservation officers have pamphlets available about the rules and regulations of operating off road vehicles if you are in question. ICO Miller can be reached through the Ripley County Sheriff's Department at 689-5555 and ICO Bill Beville can be reached through the District Office at 765-647-5835 Monday through Friday.