‘09 Law Raises Forest Safety Worries

Two years ago, Idaho legislators passed a law that exempts anyone under age 16 from having to have a driver’s license to operate an off-highway vehicle, ATV or motorbike on national forest roads. Now, the Forest Service is doing a review of safety issues on its roads in light of the change. “Previously, Idaho law prohibited use of OHVs by unlicensed riders on roads open to passenger vehicle traffic,” said Intermountain Regional Forester Harv Forsgren. “While responsible OHV recreation is welcome on National Forest System roads, safe operation of motor vehicles on National Forest roads is compromised because unlicensed and untrained drivers are now sharing roads designed and maintained for passenger cars and commercial truck traffic”/ Betsy Russell , Eye On Boise. More here . (SR file photo of rider in national forest near Kellogg)

Question: Should youth under 16 be required to have a driver’s license to operate an off-highway vehicle, ATV, or motorbike on national forest roads?