A small push for further safety and awareness in the 4WD

A much needed step in the right direction to encourage responsible enjoyment of the wild horses and the 4wd area overall. Hopefully the response will be positive and the impact on the area minimal. Below is an article from The VA Pilot's Jeff Hampton:

By Jeff Hampton
The Virginian-Pilot
© April 24, 2009
Large signs on wild-horse tour vehicles and radio broadcasts of local regulations are part of a new plan to control unruly beach driving on Currituck County's northern Outer Banks.

The latest effort to promote safety and good manners seeks to gain some control over a beach that can become a mix of wild horses, families playing near the surf, and people fishing while horse tours, visitors, locals and construction crews drive back and forth through the day.

Residents in the four-wheel-drive area have reported that some visitors trespass onto their property and drive recklessly. A wild horse was euthanized last month after being hit by a vehicle.

Recommendations from the new plan are voluntary, said Karen McCalpin, executive director of the Corolla Wild Horse Fund and a member of the Wild Horse Advisory Group, created earlier this year.

"We'll see how it goes and evaluate it at the end of the summer," she said.

Among the recommendations:

- Tour companies would put large signs with the company name on each side of their vehicles. Participating companies would be promoted by the Wild Horse Fund and possibly the county tourism department.

- Tour company owners would attend a brief training session organized by the Wild Horse Fund.

- Currituck County would broadcast beach driving regulations and information on wild horses.

- Four-wheel-drive rental companies would get letters about the new recommendations.

"I think this is a good idea," said Jay Bender, owner of Corolla Outback Adventures. "It's not only good for us and gives everybody early recognition, it adds a little professionalism."

Bender's family has run a tour service since 1962, he said. The Wild Horse Advisory Group has several tour operators, including Bender.

A herd of about 100 wild horses is one of the biggest attractions to Currituck's northern Outer Banks, one of the few places remaining with nearly unrestricted beach driving.

At least seven companies operate tours to see small bands of the herd roaming through 12,000 acres that include land set aside for wildlife and small communities without paved roads.

In the summer, nearly 5,000 visitors a week stay in beach rental homes in the four-wheel-drive area. About 150 people live there year-round and drive back and forth along the beach to work and shop. Hundreds more drive onto the beaches every day during tourist season.

Over the years, regulations have been developed specifically for the northern Outer Banks that include staying at least 50 feet from a wild horse and a speed limit of 15 mph when driving near people.

Currituck County deputies regularly patrol there.

Jeff Hampton, (252) 338-0159, jeff.hampton@pilotonline.com