I was thinking of this the other night.

What if a program (I am thinking CA, but any state would work) educating OHVers and Jeepers was instituted such that in order to be able to use trails, users would have to sit through a one-hour video or lecture detailing things like:

1) Not driving off trails
2) Leave-no-trace camping/trail usage
3) Responsible vehicle upkeep and impacts of poorly maintained vehicles
4) How to drive on trails with standing water/mud and the erosion impacts of these.
5) Fire control/prevention
6) respectful sharing of trails.
7) Possible consequeces of breaking laws, destroying trails and enforcement.

After undertaking the training, users would receive an OHV sticker for their windshield. You must display this sticker when on any off-highway trail. Sticker will be renewed every year for a nominal $15 or so. Not having sticker would be an appropriate fine.

Our big problem is education of the small minority troublemakers that didn't have their parents knock enough sense into them.

This might be a great compromise in order to keep our trails maintained and open.

SeanP

Sean,

The concept is good, a national organization should run with the project, but not everyone listens or participates well with "education." Forcing everyone to participate is also not always well received (you will be amazed at the resistance from "experienced" wheelers to "education.") The requirement for payment is also touchy (many enthusiasts already pay off-road vehicle registrations, Green Sticker fees.)

The production of a video is a touchy subject to keep the content non-political. It's not impossible, but even within the State OHV (Green Sticker) oversight committee there are real differences of opinion on what acceptable "ligitimate" off-road recreation constitutes (read "The road to ruin" on www.CalWild.org for the view of one committe member, a past President of the California Wilderness Coalition).

The issue of what make a trail "legal" is a point of contention that is impossible to gain agreement (otherwise "roadless" and "wilderness" areas would never be eligible for the title and designation if they have roads.) A change in one or two members of this politically appointed committee could forever change the concept of off highway recreation to "closed unless on a designated competition course." Preventing any State sponsored video from sending this kind of message is a risk if political appointments are involved.

I think your concept would be best presented or incorporated into a video that is included free with the purchase of any new motorcycle and 4x4 vehicle (from Audi's and Subaru's to F350's). Something like the air-bag and ABS braking systems videos common with new vehicle purchases.

Cal4Wheel already has existing "introduction to four wheeling" and "4x4 Safety" types of videos available, for a price (although most member clubs can get free loaner tapes for members). I doubt any organization could afford to give similar videos away for free in the quantity needed for the market of new SUV and 4x4 owners.

This video could be a good project for Tread Lightly, as it fits in well with their education mandate (and the scope goes far beyond Backcountry vehicle users). The funding could be achieved through grants or corporate sponsorship. Getting each manufacturer or dealer to include a video with every vehicle sold could be a challenge (unless thay all participate).

I suggest looking into taking a Cal4Wheel 4X4 Safety clinic (many premium cost dealers already include this with a new 4x4 purchase). The cross section of participants in these clinics is an eye-opener (from Sierra Club radicals who only have a narrow view of off-road recreation, the destructive position, to Librarians wanting to crawl boulders).

If you like the program look into becomming a Cal4Wheel or UFWDA Certified 4x4 Safety Instructor (I am one), so you can add a personal touch in the education effort. The more individuals, like you, that look for a better way to communicate acceptable trail conduct the better the sport will become.

Happy Trails!

Actually I agree with that. The only thing that would disturb me, is how fast would that sticker get peeled from my windshield? And suppose CA institutes something like this, but I live in AZ, and they have no comparable program? What happens when I want to drive to CA and wheel for a weekend?

It makes sense though. A course, much like the hunter safety course, but for off-roaders. It would cut down on a lot of the bullshit. People who disrespect the trails now, would be far less likely to get such a pass, and it would help us wed out the jackasses.

It should be part of betting your regular drivers license IMHO

I understand your point about getting our folks to obey rules to perserve the sport. However, I believe the program will be ultimately corrupted by the gov't and Sierra Club types. Similar to the way the Green Sticker money is misspent and not really used for its originally intended purpose.

Items #1-3 and 6-7 are common sense and applicable elsewhere in socitey--not just for wheelers/ORV'ers.

I am beginning to see merit in an OHV operator licensing system if only to weed out the idiots among us. Here is a link to a newspaper article about an ongoing situation here in Carson City.

http://www.nevadaappeal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Site=NA&Date=20021002&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=210020102&Ref=AR

Hopefully, these people will get the maximum penalty plus the recovery bill.

i like the idea if it was able to be enforced fairly and not be run by the f-ing sierra club. these damn hilbillies who think they can go out on a friday night and throw thier beer cans and bottles all over the place are really pissing me off. it might keep them out of my favorite places. and maybe i wouldn't have to haul 50 beer bottles out everytime i go wheeling! then these stupid motorcycles and atvs that haven't figured out what a trail is!

sorry just pissed off!

if it was national and there was good enforcement and its not run by the sierra club fags! it sounds good to me!:mad: