With the growing interest in off-road activities and the mass production of different vehicles designed for recreational use, there has been a need to provide enforcement that is specific to the issues surrounding these vehicles and their uses. In many places, conservation officers are charged with the responsibility of enforcing laws and regulations pertaining to the use of motorcycles and dirt bikes, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), four-wheel-drive vehicles, and snowmobiles. Other locales have separate agencies that deal with a portion or all of the vehicles that break away from the designated roadways and travel cross country. With the proliferation of off highway recreational vehicle (OHRV) activities throughout the country, basic rules of behavior have been created to ensure the safety of the public and the protection of natural resources.

Virtually any four-wheel-drive vehicle qualifies as an OHRV, whether or not it meets the safety standards for use on a defined roadway. But many of the major problems that confront enforcers off road come from the use of two-wheel and four-wheel vehicles, and snowmobiles during the winter season. These smaller open-seat vehicles can reach high speeds and require physical strength and agility to handle properly. Among the most perplexing of these problems is the lack of licensing that is required of riders. Often, there isn't even a minimum age required by law for the operation of an OHRV. Combining youth, inexperience, extremely high speeds, uneven terrain, and a complete lack of protection for the driver and passenger often results in an accident. Investigations of these accidents are not unlike those that occur on the waterways—they require a keen eye for observation and the ability to piece together minute bits of information to get a clear picture of the cause.