Reported ATV Accident In Vicinity Of Riverberry Farm

[Henry]

Two people apparently injured, however unknow extent of injuries in an ATV Accident on Goose Pond Road

[Loctavious]

      Unfortunately, this was inevitable.  I've lived on Goose Pond for a good amount of time and have seen a lot of ATV traffic on the road.  NOW, i know it's against the law to operate an ATV on a City or State road or highway and so do these riders, but apparently that doesn't mean sqwat.  We live rurally and there ARe trails around here to use.  YES, the roads are stable and effecient routes to get places, but there's a reason why they're not allowed on the roads. 
      It's simple, impact with an automobile at any rate of speed, is going to do MAJOR damage to the rider, if not death.  It's a safety issue for both the rider and the auto driver as they're vehicle outweighs the ATV by 4-5x it's weight.
      Our issues have always been with the riders who operate at high rates of speed - autos, Motorcycles, atvs alike.  It's actually a bit scary to see these ATV's though flying by at easily 60 mph.  I can say that we see adults and teenagers alike on the roads.  The adults though are wearing helmets, proper attire and are driving the spped limit - thus i really have no issue with them.  Last year, my wife went to the road after 2 teenagers ( these guys were actually wearing helmets though) on ATV's had done t passes at high speed while doing wheelys.  My wife stopped them in the road and told them that A), they weren't suppose to be there, B) she wouldn't mind it as much if they did the speed limit, and C) she doesn't wnat to see their heads cracked open in fron tof our house because they're beinf doubluy idiotic and sppeding while doing wheely's.  They didn't like it for sure, fliiped her off and sped off.
      Haven't seen any yet this year, but then again the summer's just starting.  Thus far, i've only mentioned the safety issues i've seen. I haven't even touche dupon the criminal elements i've also witnessed such as the ripping up of turf at the Westford and Flecther fields as well as the tennis courts at Westford.  Police say they have no means to catch then other then if they're already parked - which they only is about 5% of the time.  Last season, vandals on ATV's, Trucks and foot did over $2000.00 of damage at Fletcher.  Which adversely affected SOccer and little league for our communtiy kids - which are HUGELY important ot those kids.  The frequency and damage got to be so bad, fletcher was forced to spend money it really hadn't allotted for, on upgrading security systems.  Now, there's multiple cameras able to detect facial features at night.  Even I can't find all of them - which means they've significantly increaed the liklihood of identifiying any future vandals.  At when they do, they intend to seek full compensation for damages.
      Back to ATV's..... riders may think it's a stupid law for them to not be able to ride on roads, but if this accident demonstrates anything, it's that the logic used to justify it, is faulty.  Hopefully other riders will hear about this and at least slow down and be more cautious.

[dearon]

I've been told that the reason the ATV riders are not chased and caught is because of what happened the the ATV riders that were killed a while back while being chased by the police.
I think if they are not obeying the law they deserve the consequences of their actions whatever that might be. If we are speeding or doing something unlawful, will they let us get away?  I don't think so!
All I've seen from the riders of ATVs and snowmobiles has be a flagrant violation of property rights and laws.  We had to fence our property, at considerable cost, to keep out the ATV's and snowmobiles.  When you own a property you the the right of peace and quiet enjoyment, there is no peace and quiet enjoyment, when the ATV rider or snowmobiler is driving around your property without your permission. We have an ATV, we only drive it on our property to get into the back woods.  If there are no trails or you don't own property, don't buy one!

[Loctavious]

AHHHHHH, Someone else who places a high value on QUALITY OF LIFE. 

The Soccer Club was told, when they were trying to deal with all the damage being done almost nightly throughout summer and season last year, something similiar, that if chasing these kids poses danger to mainly the public ( they could kill someone walking or pulling out of their driveway or veer into a yard, etc) but also themselves. Avoiding needless death is a good policy i feel, bu tthat shouldn't mean they get away with it - especially when they're original offense WAS dangerous operation. 
I see law enforcement's view point too though.  In this day and age, a good lawyer can 'create' an interpretation of some law and make someone accountable for anything.  Police Dept/s would face wrongful death suits i'm sure, if they chose policies without regard.
AGAIN though, that doesn't mean you DON't Address the problem/crime. What's the solution?  There isn't an easy one i fear.  Stricter laws or punishments MAY force parents to take it more seriously, but methinks some of these parents don't know about their kids activities.  STILL, any parent who let's their teenager out alone, is susceptable i guess.

[Dave L.]

We live off Shepardson Hollow and more than once the kids or I have had to jump toward the ditch to avoid being hit by one or two ATVs as they scream up and down the road.  While I have not heard or seen them much this year, last summer they were a physical and auditory menace.  From where our house sits, we could hear tearing down on River Road, up Shepardson Hollow and out across the Fletcher Road.  Most of the time there were two of them, one with a two-cycle motor, the other with a four (can tell by the sound).

I don’t have an issue with 4-wheelers, it is the manner in which they are used I take issue.  I am sure my close by neighbors and friends are not the leaving marks on the pavement from doing doughnuts, or scaring kids into the ditch. 

It would be great if the ATV concern could be addressed before something tragic happens, or is it to late.

[Judi]

I moved to this small "quaint" town 5 years ago and soon discovered that we spent a lot of hard earned money on a house in the wrong part of town. It seems to be the norm on River Rd to have to listen to loud music, fireworks, parties, bonfires, ATV's and loud trucks squeeling down the road way past the posted speed limits and at all hours of the night and day.  Complaints to the police are such a waste of time and effort and the offenders know it!  I never hear any mention of this problem at town meetings, selectboard meetings or in the media unless someone gets hurt. I have given up calling anyone...because no one is listening. The 20 something year old offenders are the ones living with Mom and Pop and helping to pay the bills so you won't see them kicked out anytime soon.

[Mummy]

Don't be discouraged Judi, these kids do grow up and sometimes they move to another area or relative's house.

One night I was attending the Selectboard meeting and someone was expressing their concern about the ATV topic, two ATV's were speeding by, side-by-side around the White House while the Selectboard was discussing the situation.  It was funny but sad:< at the same time.  As far as the "big kids" driving the 8-cylinders, I just can't figure out HOW they can afford tocontinue to fill up! 

Does anyone know more about the ATV accident by the Riverberry Farm?