On May 5th, an article was published in the Red Rock News regarding the proposed new city ordinance to prohibit operation of any motor vehicle on a “paved way” if the vehicle “is equipped in any manner in violation of state or federal motor vehicle standards” or “is not approved by the manufacturer to be operated on a highway”.
The article characterizes Mayor Jablow’s proposal as a “backdoor ban on off-highway vehicles”. As residents, we see our Mayor’s effort as very much FRONT DOOR! It is very eye opening to realize that U.S. Tire Manufacturers clearly state in a Service Bulletin that OHV tires are “NOT FOR HIGHWAY SERVICE (NHS) TIRES” and that the Manufacturers of OHV clearly state in their Manuals that these vehicles are NOT FOR USE ON PUBLIC ROADS. It is not just “lawyer speak”. It is based upon the design and testing of the equipment, specifically the quality of the braking system and passenger protection in a crash.
Carl Jackson with Sedona.biz had an excellent rebuttal to the RRN article. It is worth a read: Sedona Mayor Jablow Champions City Safety Effort to Rein in OHVs
We propose that until this issue is resolved, OHV Rental companies post a sign in very large letters on their website and place of business informing potential customers that:
CAUTION!
THE VEHICLE IN WHICH YOU ARE CONSIDERING PLACING YOURSELF, YOUR FRIENDS AND/OR FAMILY MEMBERS IS NOT APPROVED BY THE MANUFACTURER TO BE OPERATED ON A HIGHWAY.