By Philip Haldiman
Twitter: @PhilipHaldiman

Arizonans and out-of-state visitors are taking to the off-road and dropping the bills to fully enjoy the recreational activity. And law enforcement officials are responding to preserve safety.

Arizona State University finalized a study in 2018 finding that residents and tourists spend $1.86 billion on off-highway vehicle recreation.

This equates to $221.76 million in state and local taxes.

For each state dollar invested in net operating cost by the state of Arizona in managing the OHV program, about $184 are generated in resident income, according to the study.

Matthew Eberhart, state off-highway vehicle coordinator for Arizona State Parks and Trails, said officials are also working on the 2020 Trails Plan which is required to be completed by June 30. The plan will give even more insight into OHV use.

The state’s off-highway vehicle community continues to grow due to Arizona’s year-round riding opportunities, diverse trails, and a welcoming approach to non-resident riders, he said.

“Our economic impact study from 2018 found that as a whole, OHV recreation contributes about 2.6 billion — with a B — dollars a year to our state’s economy,” he said. “With continued economic growth, we’re seeing improvements to rural communities and increased accessibility to trails throughout the state.”

Nearly 30% of the most frequented trails in Arizona are in Maricopa County.

Mr. Eberhart said the Valley has a wide range of great OHV opportunities less than an hour from the urban core, including Morristown, the Boulders OHV Area and Jackass Flats, to name a few.

Click here for information on where to ride.

North Peoria and the Lake Pleasant area have also become common places for residents to off-road.

To keep up with this demand and preserve public safety, the Peoria Police Department earlier this year accepted a $30,000 grant from the Arizona State Parks Board for the purchase of a new a side-by-side off-highway vehicle to patrol and use in the city’s desert areas.

Commander Charles Bezio said the vehicle will support education and enforcement of laws and city ordinances.

The department has several 4X4 patrol vehicles and two Rangers, which are useful on dirt roads and well established trails, but are unable to access areas in the desert where many OHV vehicles are typically operated due to the rugged terrain.

He said a significant part of northern Peoria is unimproved desert area that is designated State Trust, Bureau of Land Management, county and some city land.

City, county, and state laws regulate that desert area.

The Peoria Police Department receives hundreds of calls for service regarding off-highway vehicle activity in that desert area every year, but unfortunately, Mr. Bezio said, many people are unaware of the laws and ordinances.

In 2016, Jonathan Fulton, 18, died at the northwest part of Lake Pleasant near Cow Creek and Castle Hot Springs roads after crashing an OHV into a tree.

He was not wearing a helmet.

Mr. Bezio said the new police OHV will allow the department to do more to effectively address activity in the desert areas.

“Some of these operators drive without regard to private property, or of other operators,” he said. “There is evidence of alcohol consumption as well as firearms use out in these areas.”

There will be a minimum of six special operations conducted this year using the new vehicle. Since an officer is not permanently assigned to this type of special enforcement, department officials will plan special details to conduct these operations. Mr. Bezio said officers will be assigned to use the OHV to patrol the desert, and other officers will be assigned to support the OHV in four-wheel drive patrol vehicles.

“These operations will take place during times when we have observed the most significant problems — weekends, school breaks, and extended holiday weekends,” he said. “Officers will obtain operator information and talk to them about the various laws and ordinances applicable to our desert areas. We have collaborated with Arizona Game and Fish who has provided brochures to hand the operators explaining OHV laws and identifying places where operators can lawfully ride.”

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office also patrols the desert areas, deploying side-by-side ATVs, quads, 4x4 vehicles and foot patrols.

MCSO spokeswoman Norma Gutierrez-Deorta said deputies enforce all Arizona State laws including trespassing and access issues, criminal damage and theft, alcohol violations, reckless driving, DUI, dust control and air quality issues, as well as codes that include safety equipment such as seatbelt and helmet laws, among others.

Deputies do the same thing they do on the roadways as they do in OHV areas, just sometimes use other means of travel, she said.

“Deputies engage in educational contacts in these areas to ensure people are abiding by Arizona Game and Fish regulations as well as state law. They also speak to groups when requested and conduct community events where they provide informational pamphlets documenting where to ride and OHV laws,” Ms. Gutierrez-Deorta said.

All OHVs designed by a manufacturer primarily for use over unimproved terrain and that weigh 2,500 pounds or less are required by law to display a valid OHV decal to operate on public and state trust lands in Arizona.

Arizona residents can purchase a decal for $25 through the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Motor Vehicle Division offices statewide, or an authorized third-party MVD service provider or online at servicearizona.com.

The OHV decal is valid for one year from the date of purchase.

Those caught riding without a current decal may be fined.

Funding raised by the decal program supports OHV opportunities and rider education in the state.

Thirty percent of the funds collected go into the state’s Highway User Revenue Fund, which is distributed to counties and cities for road and highway maintenance, according to Arizona Game and Fish.

Click here for more information.

Philip Haldiman
News Editor | Peoria
@PhilipHaldiman

phaldiman@iniusa.org

Philip Haldiman is a third generation Arizona native with brief residencies on the east and west coasts. He has bachelor’s degrees in Theater and Journalism at Arizona State University, and is an award winning journalist with more than 15 years worth of experience in reporting and editing. Most recently, he took first place for investigative reporting and third place for best sustained coverage or series at the 2023 Arizona Newspapers Association awards. In his free time, he produces an autobiographical comic book about his time spent in Hollywood and his life as a cult film star.