May 23, 2007 3 min read

In response to the letter to the editor, “Let kids ride quads,” it had so many negatives that I lost count. It sounded like a parent who bought two quads for their sons and then realized they had nowhere to ride them. It started out with their kids only riding a little ways down the road to get to trails. Quads are not permitted on the roads, as they are a traffic hazard, and many kids do not understand the rules of the road.

By allowing her kids to take their quads on the roads, they are allowing their sons to knowingly break the law. What great parental supervision. With that kind of thinking maybe more drivers will think its OK to go 100 mph, if it’s just for a little ways down the road.

The section about riding on the trails sounds like they are unsupervised and riding on someone else’s property. I believe many parents buy quads to be a babysitter for their kids.

If they are riding on someone’s property they are not annoying their parents with the loud annoying noise of the motor. They are just annoying someone else.

About the kids having fun instead of being in prison: A quad rider can do jail time if they cause destruction of property, or cause a severe traffic accident.

Although I’m in favor of penalizing the parents as they are the ones allowing the kids to ride on the road, they are allowing them to ride unsupervised, and to ride in any direction the quad is facing.

Quad riders hurt more than just the property they ride on. Just look around the area and take notice of all the, “Posted No Trespassing” signs.

The scenic beauty of the countryside has taken a second seat to yellow signs all over the area.

Quad riders are responsible for land being lost to hikers, hunters, fisherman, horseback riders and the leisurely walker. They chase wildlife, ruin streams, litter, tear down posted signs, cut fences, and come back to vandalize property owners who deny them access.

If readers are having problems with quad riders, I suggest using all avenues available: inform local law officials and township supervisors, and contact your local state representatives letting them know a problem exists.

Also, cameras either hidden or hand held, are good at catching vandals or trespassers. Then prosecute them.

I think if a quad is stopped on private property without the written consent of the owner, that quad should be confiscated, or if stopped on public roads that quad should be confiscated.

There should be zero tolerance here, as the only lessons the quad rider is learning is to disobey the law, destroy property and trespass.

In conclusion, I must add that I agree with one part of the letter, that being the part about how it’s time parents step up and speak out on this situation.

I can add that it’s time property owners, hikers, fisherman, horseback riders, walkers, nature lovers, and all in the general public concerned about this problem speak out.

Quad riders are a menace.

George Dugan Jr.

McClellandtown