Illegal vehicle use on the rise as summer approaches Published May 3, 2007 By Staff Sgt. Connie L. Bias 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- As the warming weather leads us to our bicycles and roller blades, take caution - there are a few summer recreational vehicles not allowed on the base. According to the 92nd Security Forces Squadron, pocket bikes and mini bikes are starting to make their illegal debut around Fairchild. "Basically, if you can't authorize it off base, it's not authorized to be driven on base," said Senior Master Sgt. Jon Mick, 92nd Security Forces Squadron operations superintendent. "Normally, in the summer months we see these pocket and mini bikes in the housing areas, and they're prohibited, along with golf carts, ATVs and powered scooters." Sergeant Mick said these unregistered vehicles present a safety risk on the base. Because drivers don't need to enroll safety or learning courses before buying or operating the vehicles, they often drive without proper equipment and training. "We just had one circumstance with a young man driving around housing with no helmet," Sergeant Mick said. "There's also a large potential for accidents when the drivers are zipping around cars - that's a big issue." Those who wish to use their recreational vehicle during the summer months can go off base, but still need to be aware of local laws. "Unregistered vehicles can only be used on private property - no other place, and certainly not on the sidewalks," said Washington State Patrol trooper Chris Stone. He said many people are simply unaware of the laws regarding unauthorized vehicles because they are so new. "When the pocket bikes first came out, there were no laws regarding their use," he said. The same is true on the base, said Sergeant Mick - many people do not know that unregistered vehicles are unauthorized. "Our goal is not to give people a ticket the first time," he said. "We'll pull people over and give them a warning, and if we see multiple offenses we'll start writing tickets. But pulling people over is part of the education process, and that's what we want to do - educate the public about this issue." Other unauthorized motor vehicles include low-speed vehicles, mules and any type of powered roller blades or skates. Base personnel can find a complete list of unauthorized vehicles in Fairchild Instruction 31-204. The list excludes handicapped people who need a motorized wheelchair or scooter, and people operating government vehicles.