SEMA is supporting legislation to approve a regulation allowing off-road vehicles to operate on trails included in the Hatfield-McCoy Recreation Area. These trails are currently restricted to ATVs, dune buggy-type vehicles (referred to as "utility terrain vehicles" or "UTVs") and motorcycles. Having already been approved by the House Transportation Committee, the bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee.
In West Virginia, "off-road vehicles" are defined as motor vehicles that do not have low-pressure tires and which are constructed, manufactured or modified for off-road driving. Off-road vehicles must also comply with exhaust noise provisions.
SEMA is currently working with lawmakers to ensure that a proper and fair standard for testing the exhaust noise of off-road vehicles is applied. For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.