To the Editor:

I would like to thank the local law enforcement for their recent efforts to uphold the law regarding OHVs (Off Highway Vehicles) on public roads. I hope this patrolling continues and enforcement follows through with tickets when applicable, as well as educating the public on the laws regarding the vehicles

There is a misconception that OHVs are legal on public roads. The St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office addressed this issue in their Facebook post on Aug. 14, quoting a letter from NYS DMV: “A UTV cannot be registered in NYS or operated on public highways.” The post included other questions and answers regarding this topic.

  Local residential homeowners have been placed with the burden to contend with the interaction of numerous OHVs (regularly hundreds in a day on a weekend) traveling all hours of the day and night through their neighborhoods, which used to be peaceful town streets and quiet country roads. 

No longer is it possible to enjoy company on your porch, have a phone conversation, or hear the TV due to the noise of OHVs passing by. These vehicles have tires manufactured to be used on dirt trails, not pavement, and many are sporting loud aftermarket exhaust systems.

Concerned residents often refuse to voice their opinions or to make complaints for fear of retaliation on their properties from the riding community.

The variety of abuses of the “Multi-Use Trail” System and local public roads near the Trail System, include speeding, drinking and driving, littering, ignoring closed gates and going around them, and traveling on non-trail designated areas. The word “trail” implies a non-residential dirt path, not pavement.

The OHV community will tell you, “it’s only a few bad apples” giving them a bad reputation. As a resident living in this community and observing these actions on a daily basis, there are more than a few. 

The OHV community will also tell you, “they are trying to close the trail system”, when in fact community members are merely asking for enforcement of laws already in place regarding OHVs, and that additional laws be made to clarify these vehicles and their legal operation.

The trail system is closed now for hunting season; why are there still OHVs driving public roads on a daily basis?

Some would argue that the business brought to our local establishments by the OHV community is too valuable to endanger, and I don’t entirely disagree. I would be wary of any legislation or actions that would put our local businesses at a disadvantage. Here in the North Country, our small communities thrive on folks looking out for each other in any capacity. 

The solution to this issue is simple, though: Drive your personal vehicle, the vehicle that is legal to operate on public roads, to the businesses you would like to support.

So yes, I welcome and applaud the law enforcement presence and attention to this issue. It is long overdue.

David Nelson

Parishville