In the wake of a tragic ATV accident in Marshall County, authorities want to emphasize that ATVs and alcohol don't mix.
Marshall County Chief Deputy Kevin Cecil says drinking and riding ATVs has almost become commonplace.
He says people have two misconceptions: that accidents only happen to other people, and that they can handle their alcohol and not be impaired.
"With alcohol on board it's just like any other vehicle," said Chief Cecil. "I mean things can happen. You become impaired and your motor skills become less acute."
He says if your ATV has seat belts, use them.
And he says not only does the operator need to be sober, but also focused and not distracted.
"We've seen many instances where people have been in accidents just because they became distracted in some way, or drove off the roadway because of being distracted," he noted.
Cecil says people have the impression that ATVs can go anywhere and do anything, and that's not accurate.
"All Terrain Vehicles--that's kind of a misnomer," he said. "Because things can happen just as easy on an ATV as in a regular vehicle."
He urges drivers of any vehicle not to drive impaired.
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