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"What Were They Thinking?," Death Valley National Park Edition

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By NPT Staff - March 11th, 2017

Not a smart driver/NPS

This van drove about a half-mile off Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park on Wednesday.

With National Park Service permission, a tow company was to try to pull the van out with a track vehicle. Remember: vehicles must stay on roads in the park (but should park off the road on the adjacent road shoulders).

Tracks in the salt pan can be visible for years.

As of Friday, the driver had not been charged. However, the range of penalty options include: mandatory court appearance, up to $5,000 fine, up to 6 months in jail, and restitution charges for tow and restoring salt pan.

Comments

Submitted by Kathleen Burt on March 12, 2017 - 1:32pm.

No matter where this idiot lives you don't go off the road.  I know Death Valley like it is my backyard and where he is located ...he obviously wanted to see his tire make .  Well I choose to use the roads provided and there are dirt roads and asphalt roads all designating where bad water is located.  He needs to pay and go to court!


Submitted by George Spivey on March 12, 2017 - 4:22pm.

$10,000.00 fine per foot traveled each tire track, which also included tire tracks of the tow truck.


Submitted by justinh on March 12, 2017 - 5:49pm.

Down by the river I'm guessing. 

 

Perfect.


Submitted by Taz M on March 12, 2017 - 9:36pm.

If he drove a half mile out, who took the picture?? If it wasn't the owner there's more fines to be doled out! And I agree the fines should be MUCH higher.


Submitted by Smitty on March 13, 2017 - 5:30am.

jail time, probably not.  Fines to restore, absolutely.  Access to Nat'l parks again, NO!  He/She is definitely an idiot.


Submitted by Marilyn on March 14, 2017 - 12:36pm.

I totally agree with Cyn!!!!


Submitted by L. Lee on March 14, 2017 - 4:54pm.

Having grown up on a Christmas tree nursery farm I must say this happens often with clueless people.  They apparently do not know that a field, or a salt flat,  cannot support the weight of their car, unless it is summer and very dry.  So they drive out till they can go no farther.  I would suggest posting signs about not driving out there and the fines they will face if they do.  And also make them complete hours of  community service cleaning up trash, litter, or maybe the latrines,  in that park or one closer to them. 


Submitted by Lee Dalton on March 14, 2017 - 6:29pm.

Mr. Lee, there are signs all over the place and plenty of reminders in park literature.  This is the same as the folks who want to pet a bison so the ignore all the warnings and then get gored in Yellowstone.


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