Borough Biz Use of Roadways Prohibited
ATV's/Offroad Vehicles Banned From Use of Public Roadways
Most of us have seen, heard or read somewhere that ATV's, such as four-wheelers, Mx motorcycles, even snow-machines, are banned from use of the public roadways here in the Mat-Su Borough. The laws set in place against such use are not without merit. One can remember stories of accidents involving grave injury, even death, that resulted in collisions between ATV's and full-size vehicles, most of which were in the public right-of-way. The plain fact is that such off-road vehicles are not designed with use of public through-fares in mind. The significant lack of safety equipment, such as turn signals, rear-viewing mirrors, and passenger restraints, on those vehicles is enough to support that statement. Add to the equation that ATV's do not have the control characteristics of otherwise designed road vehicles, and there is a recipe for disaster.
Observing the driving behavior of ATV riders when they use road surfaces reveals a tendency toward recklessness. The riders are obviously in a dash to get to the next raod-side trail, knowing full well they are banned from use of the road they are on. such desperation leads to tragedy. Other behaviors are affected, as well, when riders make the decision to flout the law. The following reports are indicative of such a notion, and should be taken as a warning to us all: The law applies to EVERYONE.
FIRST REPORT
Alaska State Troopers Press Release of Saturday, July 04, 2009
A Detachment
Location: Willow
Case number: 09-57283
Type: Eluding First Degree, DUI
Text: On 7-4-09 at approximately 0121 hours, Troopers attempted to stop
a Polaris ATV for operating on the roadway in the Caswell Lakes subdivision.
The driver was later identified as Troy Martin, age 42 of
Palmer. Martin accelerated the ATV to a high rate of speed, attempting
to elude the Trooper. Martin drove the ATV onto a narrow path into the
woods, where Troopers pursued the ATV on foot. Troopers caught up to
Martin approximately 1/2 mile into the woods and Martin was placed under
arrest. Investigation revealed that Martin was driving under the
influence of alcohol. Martin was remanded into MSPT, where bail was set
at $5,000 cash plus CATP.
Author: SMC1
Received Saturday, July 04, 2009 4:04 PM and posted Saturday, July 04, 2009 4:55 PM
Not included in the publication of this report were some of the details surrounding the incident. Significantly not mentioned was the fact that Mr. Martin had started the evening by terrorizing an elderly gentleman of the neighborhood, a 73 year old disabled veteran, pinning and battering the man against his own car, all the while shouting imprecations at the man and his wife. It is alarming that an investigation and subsequent reporting of such an event was not pursued immediately by Troopers, especially considering that the battery incident, as proven by the Trooper's dispatch report associated with this occasion, was the original stimulus for Trooper presence at the scene.
SECOND REPORT
Alaska State Troopers Press Release of Saturday, July 04, 2009
A Detachment
Location: Sutton
Case number: 09-57497
Type: MVC-I
Text: On 7/4/09 at approximately 1515 hours, Alaska State Troopers
responded to approximately mile 1 of Jonesville Mine Road in Sutton for
a two ATV collision. Investigation revealed that a 2002 Honda Ranger
350 driven by Shqiponja Delolli, 18 of Sutton came to a stop while
travelling southbound on Jonesville Mine Road and was rear ended by a
2008 Can Am Outlander 800 driven by Katherine Tiger, 18 of Anchorage.
Both drivers and one of the passengers reported injuries. Helmets were
not worn by any of the four occupants.
Both drivers were issued citations for Operating ATVs on the Roadway.
Total damage was estimated at $800.
Author: CWH0
Received Saturday, July 04, 2009 6:04 PM and posted Saturday, July 04, 2009 6:31 PM
It would seem that we need to ban ATV use altogether! Let's not try to fool ourselves, however. This is an outdors kind of State, and the kind of outdoors-ing we like to do usually involves some kind of fast, fun off-roading, and that means ATV's. It is not the aim of this note to shake a finger at all those ATV-ers that are using the roadways.
No, is is deeper than that altogether. What we are attempting to do with this article is illustrate yet another way the Mat-Su Borough administration is shorting us on services for our tax-dollar, and, more importantly, to illustrate the kind of non-sensical mentality that is exhibited when thought is given to this issue.
How does this 'blurb' do that you ask?
This is how: By spending less than 1/10th of 1% of its annual revenues through property taxes, MSB could open up millions of acres of publicly held land for the same ATV-ers to use as an alternative to the deadly roadways. 1/10th of 1% to save how many lives and stave off how many injuries annually? Are you, the faithful tax-payer, willing to relinquish a penny out of each ten dollars for that? Us too!!! Think, then, about how much is lost in terms of human potential, and by extension, tax-revenues for the Borough---the injured/killed parties are not contributing to the common fund in that condition. Why not make it healthier to live here, and relize a net gain in the process?
Hmmm...making a profit off of saving people may, perhaps, seem a little opprotunistic, but in reality this is only one factor of the mentality that is ruling the Borough Administration these days. Stick with us as we examine this and other related issues, coming soon at MSB peoples' Voice.
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