Good Driving Ethics Help Keep Trails Open For All
Lifestyle September 14, 2018 ModernJeeper
Special from Tom Severin, Badlands Off Road Adventure
Simple Principles to Jeep By
Summer is here, and for many off-road enthusiasts, that means spending even more time on the numerous trails and paths available to us. This is a good time to review a code of ethics that all conscientious drivers live by. Sometimes we become a bit complacent, and forget the fundamentals that have guided drivers for years.
By closely adhering to the following principles, you show that you are a concerned driver, and you help ensure that the trails remain open to us for years to come.
Have a Positive Impact on the Environment
First, you should always strive to have a positive impact on the environment. Put another way, leave the area in better shape than when you arrived. To do your part in four simple steps:
→Properly dispose of waste
→Minimize your use of fire
→Avoid spreading invasive species
→Keep your rig in tip top shape
We must take care of the environment in which we love to wheel and play. It has been said that four-wheelers are the real environmentalists, anyway. We wheel to see the sights and enjoy this great country. So make sure you have a positive, overall impact in the environment.
Respect the Rights of Others
Second, respect the rights of others. Realize that the trails and public lands are used by a wide range of folks, including hikers, bikers, campers, and other 4WD folks. At times you will encounter others, some of whom will be on or near the trail. Public lands are open to all; no one can lay claim to a specific portion or restrict another modality.
Understand that your driving may seem disruptive to others. They should accept your presence, but you must also accommodate them. Minimize noise and the amount of dirt you kick up while driving by. And for heaven’s sake, don’t get into arguments or fights. If an issue seems beyond resolving, drive away. You may feel like the victim, but in reality you are the better person for taking the high road.
Set the Example, Encourage Others
Finally, encourage others to live by these standards. Become a spokesperson for ethical driving. As you meet other drivers, on the trails or elsewhere, talk about what it means to be an ethical driver, and how they benefit by following these principles. Help spread this message among our members and let them know that “real men” (and “real women”) follow these sound principles. Work hard to maintain all we have gained.
These principles aren’t new or particularly earth-shattering. Driving ethically involves following the rules, including the Golden Rule: Treat others—and the land—as you would like to be treated. If you always do the right thing, you can never go wrong.
It starts with having the proper attitude. An attitude which suggests that I am a steward of this land. I have been given permission to use this land, and I will treat it with the utmost respect. I know this privilege may be taken away at any time, so I will do all I can to keep that from happening.
If we all followed these good driving ethics, the negative comments from the environmentalists and the media would cease. And we could count on enjoying our beloved hobby for many years to come.
Tom Severin, 4×4 Coach, teaches 4WD owners how to confidently and safely use their vehicles to the fullest extent in difficult terrain and adverse driving conditions. Visit www.4x4training.com to develop or improve your driving skill.