How vehicles impact the environment

Be a responsible tourist! When a vehicle goes off road, it in essence goes where it is not really suppose to and enters an environment that may be very fragile to any type of disturbance. Even the best intentioned driver of such a vehicle could potentially cause havoc.

Some of the effects of vehicles on the natural environment include:

• Disturbance of the soil, leading to faster erosion, more sedimentation in waterways and even more frequent dust storms
• Physical damage to plants and their root systems
• Spreading of the seeds of weeds, which can damage or overrun the native plant life
• Threatening the habitat of wildlife, which become frightened by the engine noise of vehicles
• Negative impact on eco-tourism.

What the law says

The dramatic increase of the use of recreational vehicles in South Africa over the last few decades prompted the ministry for the environment to place a general prohibition on the recreational use of vehicles in the coastal zone some years ago, making it illegal to drive a recreational vehicle on any beach in South Africa without the relevant permits. The non-recreational use of vehicles is permitted in just a few instances, such as in an emergency or where no other reasonable access road exists.

The Department of Environmental Affairs published guidelines that apply to the recreational use of all off-road vehicles inland in so-called sensitive areas that have been mapped by the department. The guidelines are aimed at uniform regulation of the off-road sector. They govern access to these areas, and ensure that the areas are managed and maintained in a way that prevents adverse impacts both on the areas and the local communities.

Sources

adventure.howstuffworks.com
epa.gov
www.4x4ineden.co.za
www.aawdc.org.za
www.arriveallive.co.za  
www.environment.gov.za