ATV Rider Roundup

Alabama Mobile 27 ATV riders cited for illegal riding in Mobile County. Authorities say they create erosion landslides along Interstates 10 and 65. ALDOT provided a picture showing damage.

by Alabama Department of Transportation/WKRG News 5

Published: Tue, April 07, 2009 - 9:08 am CST Last Updated: Tue, April 07, 2009 - 9:34 am CST

The following is a press release from the Alabama Department of Transportation:

MOBILE – The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) and the Mobile County Sheriff’s Department have joined resources to eradicate illegal all terrain vehicle (ATV) operations that cause erosion, slope damage and landslides along state roadways.

Over the past weekend, Mobile County sheriff’s deputies gave 27 drivers of ATVs citations for illegally riding on the Interstate 10 right-of-way in Mobile County. Of those, three were arrested and their ATVs seized.

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 will concentrate 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.

“It is estimated that ATVs have caused more than $300,000 in damage this year alone,” said Tony Harris, special assistant to the transportation director. “We spent more than $100,000 to repair slope damage caused by ATVs in 2008.”

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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KxVicious Says:

Wed, Apr 08, 2009 at 11:52 am

THANK GOD!!! Now when are they going to ticket adults for letting children ride on them? I mean really, how many kids have died this year due to ATV accidents??

MeAmerican Says:

Wed, Apr 08, 2009 at 6:25 am

There are places for atv’s to ride in a safe enviroment tha NO drinking is allowed. Several places are within a half hour of Mobile. All you have to do is a little research. The problem is the idiot rednecks who ave no concern for themselves, others , or anybody else’s property.
How many dirtbikes were included in this “Roundup”? There may be some responsible quad riders out there. I’m yet to meet any. Just outlaw the quad like the three wheelers of the past. Did you folks know that kids motorized vehicles have been recently outlawed?

Wait4Me Says:

Wed, Apr 08, 2009 at 5:55 am

Crazybrat, you keep saying “they” need to make a place for people to ride, who are “they”? I sure hope you aren’t talking about the city/county government because I as a taxpayer do not believe I should fund you riding your ATV, if you want a place to ride buy some land make a trail and charge a minimal fee for the use, just to cover upkeep. If the government did make a place for riders, they would have so many restrictions and requirements it would be no fun anyway.

crazybrat Says:

Tue, Apr 07, 2009 at 10:37 pm

i did not say is was just the trucks and yes it is some atv’s too.. but there are people out there that just like to trail ride on them… not just trash the place… i have see both of them do it…and i understand they caught 27 on I 10… I don’t think that is right either… As I said before… THEY SHOULD NOT RIDE ON THE INTERSTATE OR EVEN CLOSE… i have seen first hand what happens… my best friend got killed on one because he was not being safe…. a car hit him… that is why i am saying they need to make somewhere for people to ride… we take ours to our land in Texas and ride…we go every other weekend… and we let other people ride on it also because there is really no where for us to ride and have fun doing something we enjoy… there is not much here to do

ATV MAN 4 LIFE Says:

Tue, Apr 07, 2009 at 9:39 pm

no one with the law has said anything about their atv,s doing damage to the land but i have seen them in action !!!!!!!!!!!!!! and they are guilty to.

barefootangel Says:

Tue, Apr 07, 2009 at 8:57 pm

Mom2AngelBaby, I hate to say this but you may think it is not the atv’s but they caught 27 drivers FOR riding on the I10 right of way. They didn’t find any trucks or I’m sure they would have ticket them also. just MY opinion

crazybrat Says:

Tue, Apr 07, 2009 at 7:54 pm

I don’t understand why some people can not let other have a little bit of fun… We ride and so do our kids and a lot of people were we live and we are all safe… Our kids wear their helmets and we are always very safe.. Riding them on a main street with a lot of traffic I could understand… But we do not ride on I-10… They need to make a place were people can go ride… but no drinking.. That is what gets people hurt.. And lack of teaching kids about safety… And I don’t believe that the atv’s are causing erosion… A lot of trucks go down in the power line and mess stuff up… that is what they need to go after not the 4 wheelers

Mom2AngelBaby Says:

Tue, Apr 07, 2009 at 10:57 am

Reminds me of what I seen Saturday while leaving the Flea Market on Shcillinger Road. There was a lady riding with about a four year old little boy down the side of Schillinger. She got into traffic and sat in the turning lane at the red light. Appears they had just purchased the off road vehicle from the Flea Market and was headed home. I wanted to get out of my vehicle and tell her what I thought. Neither of them had helmets on and it could have only taken one second for there lives to be ended had a car run into them. Had I been a PO I would have taken the child into DHR and put her in jail for the careless act. I told my husband this woman must out of her mind! If that had been me the police would have caught me..