MOBILE – The Alabama Department of Transportation’s (ALDOT) and the Mobile County Sheriff’s Department’s joint effort continues to eradicate illegal all terrain vehicle (ATV) operations along state roadways resulted in two additional citations and two arrests this past weekend.
Over the past two weeks, deputies issued 31 drivers of ATVs citations for illegally riding on the
I-10 and unopened portion of the new U.S. 98 rights-of-way in Mobile County. Of those, three people were arrested for trespassing and had their ATVs seized. Two were taken into custody last Saturday, one on an outstanding warrant and the other charged with drug possession.
Operating ATVs cause erosion, slope damage and landslides along state roadways. Continued enforcement is helping curb those damages.
“Damage caused by ATVs along state roadways and rights-of-way has a bottom-line impact on the taxpayers, because it’s their resources that must be used to repair the damage. It’s estimated that ATVs have caused more than $300,000 in damage this year alone,” said Tony Harris, special assistant to the transportation director. “In 2008, the state spent more than $100,000 to repair slope damage caused by ATVs, so there is an obvious worsening trend. That’s why we’re working with local law enforcement to prevent illegal riding and to be good fiscal and environmental stewards.”
As a first offense, riders caught on an ATV on state rights-of-way are given a warning citation. Second offenses result in arrest and seizure of the ATV, which leads to a court appearance, fines and possible jail time.
Initial efforts are concentrating on three areas where ATV damage has been most severe. These include I-10 between Exits 10 and 13, Alabama Highway 158 between Schillinger Road and U.S. 45, and the unopened portion of the new U.S. 98.
Harris said ALDOT has posted no trespassing signs throughout the problem areas.
He said surveillance of illegal ATV activity won’t be a passing fad or limited to problem areas. “We have an obligation to Alabama taxpayers to protect their existing and under construction roadways,” said Harris. “This effort will be ongoing and we will actively pursue those who cause the damage.”
While the final numbers from 2008 are not yet in, Harris said the 128 ATV crashes statewide have already surpassed the total of 119 in 2007. There were a total of 23 ATV fatalities for the two years combined. Along with this enforcement effort, ALDOT encourages safe riding habits and urges riders to avoid trespassing on privately owned or state property.
“While ATV damage to our rights-of-way is rapidly increasing, the age of the riders is decreasing,” Harris said. “According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, four out of every 10 people treated in emergency rooms for ATV injuries are under the age 16.”
It is estimated more than 15 million Americans ride ATVs.
ALDOT's mission is to provide a safe and efficient transportation network across Alabama. For further information, visit www.dot.state.al.us.
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Photo: This is the type damage being caused by ATVs along state rights-of-way. Once this damage is detected, ALDOT crews must repair it immediately.
