Since Halloween weekend, the first weekend where activities at the Imperial Sand Dunes begin to ramp up, we’ve had several fatalities involving off-roading or off-roading-related accidents.
Among the most heartbreaking so far this year had to be Saturday’s accident in which a 15-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy died after being hit by a passing train in the Glamis area as they attempted to navigate a Rhino through an active railroad crossing.
It was a tragic accident that underscores the continued need for people to be as safe and as responsible in their off-roading.
Starting Wednesday, scores and scores of dunes enthusiasts will make their way to the Glamis area, to Buttercup Valley as well as the Superstition Mountains area in the west county to celebrate the Thanksgiving holidays. This weekend will be among the busiest all dunes season.
Inevitably with such a high concentration of people in the area, there will be accidents and injuries, and odds are, there will be a fatality or two.
But there doesn’t have to be. Not if each and every person in the desert practices safety and responsible driving. As is so often the case with holidays in the desert, driving under the influence can be a widespread problem that leads to many injuries and even deaths. People just need to cut that stuff out, and really, respect others out there just trying to have a good time in a nonthreatening environment.
Also, we’re not here to place blame for what happened Saturday, but parents of young children and young adults in the dunes do have a responsibility to watch out for their charges. Some of the worst off-roading accidents over the past few years have involved unsupervised youngsters doing foolish things.
For those who spend their winters hitting the dunes, all of you need to show the same attention to detail and safety that you do when you’re driving down the street in your neighborhood or on the way to the grocery market.
Your lives will be better for it, and the lives of others will be, too.
" I have been riding the sand dunes for over 30 years and have seen a lot of changes in the vehicles being use on the dunes. The high speed buggies are going to keep hurting people until they are made to slow down and drive sensibly.
They certainly do not drive that way on the highway.
We all want to enjoy the dunes and not be afraid
of what fast vehicle is going to be flying over
the top of a dune.
PEOPLE SLOW DOWN AND SAVE LIVES - PLEASE.
And, a lot of people and (Parents) will thank you......
Thanks,
Kathy Williams "
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Kathy Williams wrote on Nov 30, 2007 4:39 PM: