New public safety campaign
The Antelope Valley has long been a favorite destination for off-road enthusiasts. With that, the California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division and its partners are encouraging off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts to “Share the Trails,” the theme for the upcoming Spring OHV Safety Week, taking place from March 23 to 31.
This semiannual event promotes safe and responsible OHV recreation across California's dedicated OHV public lands. This year’s theme reminds OHV recreational users to focus on sharing the responsibility of following safety protocols and protecting the state’s natural resources.
“It’s important that everyone in the OHV community understands that they share the responsibility for safety,” said OHMVR Division Chief Callan McLaughlin. “We share our trails with many types of off-road vehicles and people of different skill levels, so everyone has the opportunity to enjoy our public lands.”
The Spring OHV Safety Week provides an excellent opportunity for all riders, both experienced and newcomers, to enhance their knowledge, skills, and awareness of safe OHV practices by taking safety courses and following simple rules. Training teaches everyone to “Share the Trails” by:
Staying to the right: Practice proper trail etiquette by always staying to the right side of any trail.
Show yourself: Use a whip and flag at least 8 feet from the ground and wear high-visibility clothing.
Share your skills: Take a free safety class, which can help you become a more experienced rider, then share what you’ve learned with others.
During this year’s OHV Safety Week, several state vehicular recreation areas (SVRAs) will host free safety training classes for OHV riders. For those interested in participating in these free classes, schedules and sign-up information is available on the California Outdoor Recreation Foundation website: OutdoorRecreationFoundation.org.
