ATV traffic becoming a major problem on ASU campus

ALBANY — Illegal ATV (all-terrain-vehicle) traffic is becoming a major problem throughout Dougherty County, and in particular, on the Albany State University campus, officials say.

Law enforcement officials say enthusiasts of the motorized sport have been trespassing on ASU’s lower campus, along the Flint River, and the vehicles are beginning to cause damage to the levee system put in place after the catastrophic Flood of 1994.

“The sheer volume of illegal ATV traffic we have through here is damaging our levee,” Chief John Fields of the ASU Police Department said. “We have gangs of 20 to 30 riders coming through here at a time, some wearing cameras on their helmets, and you can clearly see where the paths they have created are beginning to cause erosion to the levee wall, not to mention that they pose a hazard to students.”

University police have put out No Trespassing signs and have begun to patrol the area regularly. Officers warn that they will ticket, arrest, fine and even confiscate vehicles if trespassers are caught.

Fields, a veteran of both the military and the Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office, said, “This levee was built to protect us from flooding, and we are here to protect it, along with providing our students with a safe environment.”

Fields served in the U.S. Army during operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm as well as serving with the Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office for more than 14 years. He is passionate about his role as chief of the campus police department.

“Campus is a small city,” Fields said. “The university police department is here to protect that city as well as educate, mentor and, unfortunately, sometimes in situations like this where people are damaging property, discipline.”

ASUPD Assistant Chief Gregory Elder pointed out several areas of structural concern where the ATVs have caused significant erosion damage along the levee.

“As you can see, in some places the covering grass that holds the soil together has been completely destroyed.” Elder said, while pointing out large cracks and areas of runoff that have developed. “In other places, the ATVs have created a sloped surface on top of the levee that used to be flat. We are concerned that the integrity of the wall could be threatened.”

Officials warn that they will be on the lookout for riders with the intent to curb any and all trespassing.

According to Chief Cynthia Battle, who has been with the Dougherty County Police Department for 35 years, illegal ATV traffic is not just a problem on campus, but has also become a major issue in other parts of the county.

“These people will ride their dirt bikes and four-wheelers down Radium Springs Road, cutting in and out of traffic,” Battle said. “They are a danger to themselves and other drivers. It’s just a matter of time before we have a bad accident.”

According to officials, all-terrain vehicles are not supposed to be driven on roadways. Vehicles operating on Georgia highways and roads must abide by the Uniform Rules of the Road, as set forth in Chapter Six of Title 40 of the Georgia Code.