ATVs

 Today’s Morning Call ran an article about a dispute in Vermont between residents who live in the country and ATV owners who want to use anearby road.  The caption for a photo accompanying the article states, “Interest in ATVs has only intensified as more people got outdoors during the pandemic.”  

Ripping around in an ATV is hardly being “outdoors,” but it is part of the common American belief that if something is sold, the buyer has an automatic right to use it however she or he wants.  Thus jet ski users tear around “no wake” zones, snowmobile drivers harass wildlife in Yellowstone, fireworks are used at any time of year, dune buggies wreck beaches, and boat motors cut up manatees.  

Here is what should happen to ATVs.  They should be banned except for use by emergency personnel.  They are loud, tear up trails, waste fossil fuel, add to air pollution, and make lots of noise.  Absolutely useless.