Regulation and Reduction of ATV-UTV Use
ORANJESTAD - The Ministry of Transport, Integrity, Nature, and Elderly Affairs recently announced a new policy to regulate and reduce the use of Utility Task Vehicles (UTV) and All-terrain vehicles (ATV).
The goal of this policy is to mitigate the harmful impact on nature, reduce the nuisance for residents, and improve the safety of the users of these vehicles.
For years, efforts have been made to find a better balance between adventure tourism and nature conservation. The use of UTVs and ATVs has led to an increase in accidents resulting in physical injuries and material damage, damage to nature (flora, fauna, and geomorphological properties), nuisance for residents (noise and dust), and the creation of obstacles in traffic flow.
The government of Aruba has established a multidisciplinary commission and a task force to ensure compliance with laws and regulations related to motor vehicles used for rental purposes. In the meantime, they reduced the vehicles in a caravan to just 10, but this is not enough.
Based on advice received from the Department of Nature and Environment and the Department of Public Transport, in cooperation with the agencies that were part of the advisory commission, various changes will be introduced, including alternative routes for UTVs and ATVs in public transport, to minimize disturbance in our natural areas. Preserving and protecting our natural areas from motorized vehicles adds value to our ecosystem and economy.