The use of four-wheel drive vehicles on public lands has become extremely popular
over the last twenty years. More than one million four-wheel drive vehicles are
sold in the U.S. each year and as the numbers grow, so does the environmental damage
caused by their abuse. The solution to the abuse has been to close off large areas
to motor vehicle use. Presently there are more than 200,000 miles of off-highway
roads open to the public and if we want to keep them open, we must follow the Treat
Lightly guidelines. Land Rover fully endorses the U.S. Forest Service’s Tread Lightly
program.
- Travel only where motorized vehicles are permitted.
- Respecting the rights of hikers, skiers, campers, and others to enjoy their activities
undisturbed.
- Educating myself by obtaining travel maps and regulations from public agencies,
complying with signs and barriers, and asking owner’s permission to cross private
property.
- Avoiding streams, lakeshores, meadows, muddy roads, and trails, steep hillsides,
wildlife, and livestock.
- Driving responsibly to protect the environment and preserve opportunities to enjoy
my vehicle on wild lands.
The most common abuses that must be stopped, if we are to continue enjoying driving
on public lands are:
- Shortcutting switchbacks on roads and trails.
- Driving around difficult road sections and creating new roads.
- Blazing new roads and trails. One vehicle driving off the road causes little damage,
but the many vehicles that soon follow the tracks can cause vegetation and soil
damage that leads to erosion.
- Driving on wetland areas. Lakeshores, marshes, bogs, and streams are easily damaged.
The normal rules of the road also apply in off-highway situations. We must remember
to respect others and present a good image.
- Do not speed. These are public roads and you will encounter traffic going in both
directions.
- When encountering oncoming traffic, the vehicle going uphill has the right of way;
tradition dictates that the vehicle that can pull over with the least amount of
difficulty does so.
- Use your seat belt. It is the law.
- Do not litter anywhere and pick up trash left by others.
- Bury human waste and do not relieve yourself near streams. In many desert areas,
human waste must be packed out (as they do on river trips) because it does not decompose.
- Respect others on the trail. Be polite. Give horses, mountain-bikers, and hikers
the right of way. Be especially cautious around horses. Pull over and turn your
motor off if necessary.
- Be careful with fire! Smoke only in designated areas and be careful with matches
and smoking materials. Do not stop vehicles in areas of tall vegetation as CATALYTIC
CONVERTERS CAN CAUSE FIRES!
- Never driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
|