KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency said there were no serious injuries or fatal off-highway vehicle accidents on the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area over Memorial Day weekend.
TWRA said wildlife officers and managers patrolled the 205,000-acre area checking 242 OHVs.
Several citations were issued for violations including not possessing riding permits and failing to have helmets on children under 18. Officers also cited 16 others for alcohol possession and arrested two drivers for driving under the influence, according to TWRA.
“I want to commend the hard work of our officers and managers over Memorial Day weekend," Off-Highway Vehicle Sgt. Dustin Burke said. "I feel that our presence and enforcement efforts led to a holiday weekend without a serious injury or fatal OHV accident on NCWMA.”
Alcohol possession and consumption have been banned in the TWRA Wildlife Management Areas statewide. According to the agency, alcohol is only permitted at designated TWRA campgrounds and on public waters bordering or within a WMA. The rule applies to all user groups, including hunters, hikers, OHV drivers and passengers, and other WMA users.
The rule change was implemented due to high rates of intoxicated trail riding on WMAs and frequent accidents where alcohol was a contributing factor, TWRA said.