Harlan tickets again

[Gubni]

Just wanted to let everyone know they are giving out tickets in harlan again.

http://www.nc4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62628

[TiredIronGRB]

Yea, it's a mess over there...no consistant leadership at the county level or cooperation in anything really and it's a shame because they are sitting on a goldmine.

[Andy1]

You are correct George. They do have a gold mine; however I think they are wanting to seal the shaft.

I don't think most people are going to put up with spending all the money on rigs, gas, food, lodging, etc. and then come to get a ticket.

We were warned that we are to have tags and insurance in the future. So we are thankful for that.

[loves_kelly]

ok, I've never bene up there but why don't these guys understand that you guy's are up there spending money, lots of it I would bet. and that's why many of those officers have a job in the first place. Did something happen to cause them to do this??? I undestand that some people do not behave as much as others but this is really ashame :icon_confused:

[HANO]

I think the area needs our income as much now than ever.


However, Think of it this way..... the next time a pedestrian passes in front of you unexpectedly outside of the dairy hut in your non-tagged, non-licensed, non-insured vehicle. The possible results could be frightening in all views, but for this topic, especially financial. I have no problem with them writing lawful traffic violation tickets. I'd expect them to do it here on my roads at home and to places I vacate with the rig. Now I don't like getting a ticket, but I if I decide to take the chance knowingly and get caught, I will pay the fine. Anyone who has a license should know that on any public road a license, a legal tag, and legal registered vehicle are a must. That was one of the main reasons I didn't build a buggy, and just kept the jeep.

[TiredIronGRB]

I agree, I never felt comfortable driving my buggy on the street.

[loves_kelly]

I understand to an extent, but if there was a dune buggy rally in myrtle beach I would expect to see dune buggy's on the road too. at least the side roads. There has to be a happy medium somewhere.

[TiredIronGRB]

What they need is consistency, either enforce it or not.

[HANO]

Even golf carts that are used in my neighborhood by young families, retirees and the elderly have to be registered and insured! At least in my county. I'm just saying you take alot of financial risk for you and your family if you drive an uninsured rig on a government maintained road. I can't risk it especially in today's sue happy environent. I will say some times law enforcement do get a bit too picky, but I can't say having a legally insured and licensed vehicle is picky.

I agree with George, they do need consistency with enforcement.

[Ferg]

I was there and got stopped. From my talk with them they said that we were to off the roads by 11. They never asked to see registration or proof of insurance. I did hear from a couple camping close to us that they were ticketed for no tags. I spoke with Debbie with Evarts and she said that they were unsure of why they were doing it again. She also said that two weeks ago the state police stopped 60 atv's and wrote each of the them a $160.00 ticket for something. The major was going to see what the county was upp to agian. She very much aware that her little town needs the money that all of us spend there. I agree with the need for consistency and also knowing what is required to drive on that small section of road. Putney is my next camp ground of choice. They sure are making it easy to change.

[Gubni]

If they just put up a sign saying no ATVs or other unregistered vehicles allowed it would be fine.

[Johnny Sherman]

We were eating at the Corner Cafe (Friday night), and the law circled the building several times, and I thought nothing of it. I pulled out behind a deputy sheriff and in front of a city cop. The city cop through his lights on me and the county blocked the road, like i was going to run or something. His first words were "How much have you had to drinck today?", and I said nothing I don't drink. Then he asked if I had tag and insurance, and I said no. He said what do you do at home for tag and insurance and I said I don't drive on the roads at home. Before it was over there was an Everts city cop, a Harlan county cop, an off duty State Trooper, and the Sherrif of Harlan county, all there where we were pulled. Finally the Sherrif told them just to give us a verbal warning. He also said that they were going to crack down on the ATVs. I told him that we all were law abidding citizens and wanted to do the "right thing". I asked him (Josh Howard deputy sherrif), would I be legal if I towed to the train tracks at the Baileys Creek Trail Head, and he said no, you will still have to get on the pavement.
On Saturday night I met the Mayor (Burl Fee) at Buddys Crevron. I introduced myself and proceeded to tell the story from Friday night. He said that to be legal that we have to have tag and insurance. He went on to say that he had a long talk with the city cops on Friday night and told them that they were to stop harrassing us. He also told me that we would not be harrassed any more that weekend. He also said that if myself or anyone else in our group got stopped to tell the law to call him at home and he would take care of it.
In a day where we spend a ton of money on insurance, I'm unwilling to pay anymore on insurance. How can you stop ATVs for driving on the streets, when you have flashing signs, warning people of "ATVs on the street"? All we want is a clear understanding of what they expect of us on this issue. The city has an ordinance that allows this to be exceptable, but the county and state say that they don't have to go by the ordinance. We asked the law enforment, when is the state, county and city going to get on the same page?
It looks to me like the burden falls on Harlan county, they are collecting fees to ride in the park now. If it's not legal to drive the crawlers on the street, then they need to put a large parking lot in for trucks and trailers.

[Marty G]

if this keeps up Thea will make a rich man out of the guy that owns the putnee campground

[draggindetails]

This all goes back to the way Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg USED to be for car shows. Back several years ago you could do just about anything down there including burnout pits on the strip, last car show i was at down there which has been a while now, you couldnt even chew a piece of gum without getting a ticket. Its more town government than the police. They are told what to do. Dont be mad at them. Just remember drinking and driving never go together no matter on trails,roads, lawnmowers, etc. I have drank and drove in the past but I will never do that again, funny how the older we get the wiser we get. Just hope I get to harlan before everything gets shutdown like pf and gatlinburn.

[Johnny Sherman]

If they really want to crack down on something, crack down on the drinking. The rules say "no alchol in the park". Why have rules and not inforce them?

[TiredIronGRB]

This all goes back to the way Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg USED to be for car shows. Back several years ago you could do just about anything down there including burnout pits on the strip, last car show i was at down there which has been a while now, you couldnt even chew a piece of gum without getting a ticket. Its more town government than the police. They are told what to do. Dont be mad at them. Just remember drinking and driving never go together no matter on trails,roads, lawnmowers, etc. I have drank and drove in the past but I will never do that again, funny how the older we get the wiser we get. Just hope I get to harlan before everything gets shutdown like pf and gatlinburn.

Your way off, it's not the town of Evarts wanting the tickets written. It's the ego stricken county and state police.

I think we have the don't drink and drive thing down, that's one of the reasons this club was started.

[Johnny Sherman]

On more than one occation the city and county police was working together. The city police was the one that through the lights on me. Chip from NC4x4 was pulled be the city police and then the county showed up and wrote the ticket. The city and county are working together on this. The city cop would not write the ticket because he knew that Mayor Fee would chew his butt out. I know that we (4x4Grace) have the no drinking figured out, but a very large % of the people on the park, are drinking. I feel Mayor Fee is doing all he can do to keep things cool and stop the hassassing on his level.

[TiredIronGRB]

I was referring to the post before yours (I'm a slow typist). It drives Burl crazy when they do this and he raises cain about it but it just goes to prove my point none of them are on the same page about anything. It's always been that way ever since I was a kid, my dad finally got tired of it and moved to Kingsport.

[tattooscooter]

I hate to see this Black Mtn. is my favorite place to wheel our club goes atleast 3-4 times a year...we always go to southern shine and fall karwl . camp,eat,fuel up ect . it would be easier to sell my truggy than try to tag it ...it is a frankenstine of parts . if there was easy parking for my tow rig at the trail head I would be ok with it but there is not. and we always try to stay at the everts field to support KYMC..putney is looking better and better.I just hate it ...

[Johnny Sherman]

Check this out

http://www.lrc.ky.gov/krs/189-00/515.pdf

[draggindetails]

Guess what i was trying to say is its easier for the locals, not the businesses, if we as a whole are not around. Thats why we must be on our best behaviour and abide by their rules and requirements or Harlan will end up just like Pf and gatlinburg. I never want to see that happen. It only takes one idiot to ruin something great for everyone!!!! So if ya see someone drinking and driving, driving around unregistered, stop them and tell them to hit camp before NONE of us are allowed back and the trails are shut down.

[Jeep07]

Is there an actual document that Evarts has that deals with ATV's on the roads they have control over? I've heard mention of Ordinance but does that actual document exist?

189.515.6.c - The Transportation Cabinet may designate, and a city or county government may designate, those public highways, segments of public highways, and adjoining rights-of-way of public highways under its jurisdiction where all-terrain vehicles that are prohibited may be operated

Would the hwy fall under that?

[HANO]

Yeah I posted that link up yesterday on NC4x4, someone stated that the highway is a state maintained road and it would not fall under that. Not sure why not though...

Gubni,

I've talked to my insurance company about my jeep, and im running 4.5" of spring lift and 40's, they had no problem with it whatsoever. Im also running full coverage insurance. (USAA) Im pretty open with them, I even let them know I was going to be towing overweight on my way to Moab, in regards to what my doorjamb rating said and I asked if they would still cover me if involved in a accident ..(after talking to the State DOT official, I now know what rating they go by and the door jamb sticker is a reccomedation not a mandatory weight guideline) . Coverage is out there, and the possibility of them covering you already gives you a better odds than not having it.

I know alot of the modified buggys would have to pass inspection to be fully plated and legal for NC and others (thankfully at the moment SC does not) but I don't see where it that big of deal, you either take the chance and if you get caught pay the fine, or trailer to the trail head on whichever side of the trail system you find the most convienent. It's a hassle but we've been lucky so far with getting by as good as we have been. You won't believe how many people get busted in Moab from the condos to the trail, but some people just take the chance. And that place is a nightmare for trying to tow to a "trailhead" alot of the trails there are right off the main hwy, no parking whatsoever!

[SamuraiGuyTN]

This conversation/ concern more like, needs to be spread to all the other sites. Or at the very least point out to some one on the trail that "their" particular behavior could potentially get the park closed. If they insist that they would take the chance. Let them know that your not. It may be better to take down the description of their vehicle, Tag, or location and report it to the appropriate authorities.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

As a side not, maybe we can make a sticker that says "i'm tag and insured" and put it on the vehicle.

[tattooscooter]

Any new info on the situation in Evarts ?

[TiredIronGRB]

Nothing offical.

[TiredIronGRB]

I heard from the city of Evarts this morning that all of this came about because of some wheelers being extremely intoxicated in a couple of businesses then heading out on the road.

They are working with the state and county to get on the same page about vehicle registration and what is considered as an ATV. The Mayor is working hard to resolve or clarify these issues and should be having a presense on this forum soon.

Once again a few idiots are ruining things for the rest of it.

[Gubni]

This is great news.

[tattooscooter]

Thanks George.:kewl:

[RamAford]

Thats good new George! alcohol and riding any kind of vehicle doesnt mix. But some people never learn that and ruin it for the rest of us.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

Then instead of writing tickets, they should be doing breathalyzers to whom ever they pull over.

[Jason]

Then instead of writing tickets, they should be doing breathalyzers to whom ever they pull over.


x2:eusa_clap:

[tattooscooter]

x3...

[tattooscooter]

up dates any one?

[TiredIronGRB]

Nope