Signing Specifications for Michigan Trails

[Administrator]

Have you ever wondered what goes into getting the all the signs placed on the ORV Routes, ORV Trails and such throughout Michigan?

Attached are two PDF's which will give the information the Michigan DNR has successfully buried time and time again.

[phittie1100]

Some interesting points:

#1 - "Alcohol consumption, excessive speed, and loss of control, both operator errors [sic], are seen [by law enforcement] as contributing factors to accidents. These behaviors minimize the compliance with signs on motorized vehicle trails."
#2 - "The current reporting system should be reconstructed to create a more effective ORV/cycle crash file in the local sheriff's offices. This should be a condition of State funding for any law enforcement grants." I do not believe this recommendation was ever implemented.
#3 - Several state and federal standards were reviewed to compare/contrast with MI ORV signs. "One of the most interesting findings of signing practice review is that no two (2) agencies follow the same practice for the signing of ORV trails!"
#4 - "The MDNR Sign Manual and ORV Program Policies and Procedures require trail signing plans and sign inventories for each trail route. This is not evident from the various databases provided by DNR staff and as related by district staff. If there is no compliance with MDNR program policies, the exposure to liability suits, in case of accidents is possibly increased."

[Jarhead]

Thanks Kevin for getting these PDF's posted, I tried and failed a few times.

As you have already noted Paul, the reasons are many as to why this information has been buried time and time again. In order to have accountability, we need to continue to educate our membership and the Public as well.

[Creative Fab]

This sign study cost us users alot of ORV fund monies, for what? The studies findings were never given consideration, or the light of day for that matter. Can you imagine if the money spent on "studies" like this were followed through with how much better our system would be.

[phittie1100]

Here is the best part Pat - these ORV Financial Planning group calls I have been participating in, guess what one of the topics was? Standardizing the signs between ORV and snowmobile. But of course, this will require another study....fortunately it is way down on the list of needs/wants/desires, and in trying to keep the ORV fees as low as we can, there probably will not be money to fund another sign study to replace the previous sign study that no one used or read.

[Jarhead]

This sign study cost us users alot of ORV fund monies, for what? The studies findings were never given consideration, or the light of day for that matter. Can you imagine if the money spent on "studies" like this were followed through with how much better our system would be.

AMEN!