Leader Call
June 26, 2011
ATVs damaging area roads, tributaries
By Charlotte Graham, countyreporter@laurelleadercall.com
Laurel Leader-Call
LAUREL — The improper use of all terrain vehicles on county roadways continues to be a concern of county officials.
Not only are they concerned about the safety of those who choose to ride the ATVs on dangerous roadways, but members of the Jones County Board of Supervisors and Sheriff’s Department are also concerned about the damage to area roads, banks, ditches and tributaries.
“In recent years, up until the spring of 2011, District 5 has concentrated man hours and resources along Walters Creek tributaries to improve the drainage system in the Pendorff Community from the old Pendorff Elementary School to I-59 and from Lover’s Lane tributaries running under Highway 11 over to I-59,” said District 5 Supervisor Jerome Wyatt. “Having completely worked and opened all of the tributaries in the area, making the banks accessible for regular maintenance, the north and south box culverts installed under I-59 were depleted of stagnant water that had been in the culverts for years.”
Wyatt explained that the water stood three to four feet high and looked somewhat like a lake. It was backed up and covered hundred of acres between Fastener Drive and I -59.
However, Wyatt said that with persistent work to lessen the drainage problem, Walters Creek and its tributaries were opened all the way to and under the trestles of Norfolk-Southern Railroad. The Mississippi Department of Transportation and Norfolk Southern’s Bridge Department assisted county workers with the project.
“Unfortunately, operators of four wheelers running along the old trolley road from Scoggins Drive to Service Boulevard, have literally gotten into the drought channels and rutted them mud bogging to the point that the flow lines have been destroyed, thereby causing water not to move toward Tallahala Creek as it had been following the work,” said Wyatt. “Not only have these destructive acts undermined the upgrade drainage system, they also made the banks and access paths that were developed for maintenance access impassable for equipment.”
District 1 Supervisor Johnny Burnett said road damage caused by ATVs is a problem all supervisors face. He noted it causes tax payers thousands of dollars each year because workers have to keep repairing the roads to make sure they are draining properly.
“Also, we have boat ramps and private woods that have been damaged in all areas of the county,” said Burnett. “This damage is caused by people who use ATVs for no other purpose than to see how fast they can run or how far they can jump.
“It really hurts the side of the roads and creates drainage problems for all parts of the county. It causes little washes on the side of the roads.”
Jones County Sheriff Alex Hodge adds that every year, particularly during summer months, the Sheriff’s Department receives numerous complaints of children and teens riding ATVs on county roadways.
“More and more, riders of these terrain vehicles are becoming injured or even killed when their ATV wrecks,” said Hodge. “It is important for riders to put in place safety operating procedures to prevent what could become a tragedy.”
Hodge offered the following safety tips when riding an ATV:
• Avoid roads and streets since ATVs are not designed, nor intended to be driven on concrete or asphalt with larger cars and trucks.
• When it comes to where to ride your ATV, ensure you choose a proper setting. Drivers of ATVs should also avoid improper terrain that may encourage the ATV to roll over due to instability in the ground.
• Riders of ATVs should always wear protective gear.
• Riders should be careful of traveling at a high rate of speed. ATVs are designed to go a certain speed safely. Increasing the speed, especially through certain terrains, decreases your control and the vehicle’s stability, making you more prone to have an accident.
“Although ATVs have the capability to cause serious injuries, riding an ATV can be a fun way to spend time outdoors if the necessary safety measures are put in place,” Hodge noted.
Concerned citizens who see these vandals operating these ATVs that are destroying the banks, ditches and tributaries of your communities should call the Jones County Sheriff’s Department at 601-425-3147 and report it.
“It is your tax dollars that go into these ditches and tributaries to open them back up and drain the water that is now obstructed,” added Wyatt.
