CAN YOU DRIVE WHEREVER YOU WANT?

    ​  Ron runs a channel called Yellow Florida Jeep and takes people into Ocala National Forrest.

​   I had an approximate 2 hour phone call with an Ocala National Forest LEO a couple days ago.
The call started because I found a stolen, stuck, abandoned Honda mini van on the southern portion of the Tread Lightly Four Wheel Drive Way trail!
    We talked about many different things because Don Cox and I are not just volunteers but are also in a Field Ranger program with the Ocala National Forest!
The main reason for this post is to reveal a couple of things that I learned from that call!
This LEO uses FaceBook, YouTube and Instagram to scan for violations in the Ocala National Forest.
If they can read a license plate or find someone that can positively identify a violator, they will write a ticket, save a copy of the video and send you a fine or even a federal court date.
They stated that they have written up to $2,200 in fines using FaceBook to a single person.
They are allowed to go back as far as two years from the violation date and issue you a fine using social media.
   They also stated that if they discover a violation the FWC ticketed you for, they can also ticket you for the same violations. I don’t know the details on how they can do that. I’m just relaying the information I was told.
You are allowed to drive on both of the two roads along the power lines and nf-09! But it’s more responsible to drive on the side that’s more established.
Not all power line roads are numbered!
Meaning you are not allowed to drive on one that is not listed on the Avenza app!
There are also seasonal roads that are numbered but have a different appearance on the Avenza app. You cannot drive on those roads out of season.
   Also, the Avenza app is the only map app that they recognize to display the correct, proper roads for us to navigate.
   They are aware of other good GPS apps like Gaia but you can add layers to Gaia that show other trails that can confuse folks and get them into trouble.

First, always adhere to Tread Lightly standards.
Second, know the local laws!
Third, if you’ve posted videos that show you or someone else in your video are in violation of laws, you should consider removing them or make them private with a limited, controlled audience. If you are in someone else’s video breaking the law, ask them to remove it if you fear the consequences.

​Be safe!
Ron Rogers
YellowFlordaJeep.

https://www.avenza.com/
​https://www.youtube.com/user/ronr66
https://treadlightly.org/