Everyone’s been talking about 4X4 owners fighting back with the recent widespread coverage of 4X4charter.com. Whilst it’s got a definite UK spin, the reach of this 4X4 charter spreads far and wide. The basic idea of the charter is that by taking part you essentially sign on to 10 key principles. An whilst an amazing idea on the surface, an idea still destined for failure. Let me explain why.

The Charter

• Drive with consideration for others.
• Park your vehicle sensibly & legally.
• Respect the countryside & leave nothing but tracks.
• Drive economically.
• Stay within the law.
• Plan your journey.
• Share the ride.
• Dispose of vehicle waste carefully.
• Avoid unnecessary journeys
• Take it off/turn it off

View the full charter

Now on the surface this seems like such a brilliant idea, and one I’d very much feel proud to be a part of. For a long time have I’ve argued the cause of 4X4 true enthusiasts. Our industry is so divided, with thousands of clubs, so much commercial entanglement, and such a bad rep outside the inner circle, an initiative like this could truly galvanise and unite us — but sadly, I think it will fail, and here’s why.

The charter is applicable to all vehicle owners — not just 4X4 owners.

Car pooling, responsible parking, waste disposal, driving economically, being considerate of other drivers, all great things, things we should do anyway, but they are not specific to 4X4 Owners. If you’re looking to unify a select group of people, talk to us about things that are specific to us.

Charter point 3 talks about “Don’t damage the countryside! Only ‘off road’ where you know it’s acceptable, have permission and need to do so. “I’m sorry, but any off-roader knows, there is no where that it is acceptable to ‘damage’ the countryside. It’s the reason that half our tracks are closed…

It is about the environment, or is it about a fair go for 4X4 owners

The whole reason for the charter is split between 4×4 owners’ behavioral problems and environmental concerns. I think the environmental message shines through the strongest and this is a good thing, but it just makes the whole message grey. Both causes are great, but the pledges are vastly different — they should stick to one to make it easier to understand.

It’s great that they’ll plant a tree because of my membership, and yes there are some links between the stigma of 4X4 and pollution, but what’s that got to do with road congestion, seriously, picks one and run with it.

It fails to confront the real issues

There is a real opportunity here to confront some of the real issues facing 4X4 owners. Don’t shy away from the fact that today too many people buy 4X4’s for the wrong reasons, and we enthusiasts cop it on their behalf. 4X4’s have their place, but it’s not as inner city tractors and this group should be about educating people as much about why they might not want to buy a 4X4 as it why they should. There are also still too many people who abuse they privilege of being able to drive their 4X4’s recklessly through beautiful landscape. These are the issues this pledge should seek to resolve…

It has not taken a balanced viewpoint

The whole site it about going into a tit for tat battle with the 4X4 nay sayers. It’s not about the 4×4 faithful standing united in what they believe in. When you make the pledge you should be making a commitment to be better than the critics. They can throw stones, they can bait us to their hearts content, but we’ll become an untouchable entity if we stand united. The na nan na nan na na, tactics are for the schoolyard playground — keep them there.

It’s way to commercialised

Go in the draw to win $100, buy one get one free… BAH. The whole taste of the site seems to be more about making someone famous. It feels so commercial and uninspiring. I want a battler whose sick to death or track closures and getting a bad rap in the paper to lead this, rather than a slick marketing team who’s BMW X5’s have never seen the muddy side of dirt track.

Why does it need to be about money?

As soon as it became about me handing over money, coupled with everything you mentioned above, you lost me. Pick up the phone; get some sponsorship if you need some capital to run it. I’m sure that off road companies would be falling over themself if you put together a focused and polished package. It does mention that they are non-for profit, and that’s great, but it leaves a bad taste in my mouth that I’ve got to put my hand in my pocket to pledge that I’ll abide by a set of moral standards.

Now I apologise if the flavour of this post of overtly negative. I was just so excited about the idea, to only become completely frustrated at its motives and execution. Maybe my expectations where way too high, but for a second I saw a glimmering ray of light, only to have the batteries die on me.

I want to end this on a positive note so I thought I’d put a my own pledge together as a 4X4 enthusiast…

My 4X4 Charter

• My motives for owning a 4X4 will stay true.

  Ownership of my 4X4 will stem from either a geographical requirement, commercial necessity, or that it is my passion and hobby to enjoy the experience of pushing my off-road vehicle to the limits on tricky terrain, or enjoys experiencing the wilderness in the comfort of my own vehicle. Should those motives change, I will pass on my vehicle to a more deserving owner.

• I will respect fellow vehicles on and off-road.

  I drive a large vehicle with a higher centre of gravity than most. I will appreciate the footprint my vehicle has on the road and not use it for personal gain on or off the road. If others confront me with concern I will give then the same treatment and respect I would expect from them.

• I will never forget the wilderness is a privilege not a right

  It is my responsibility to do all that I can to make sure that future generations have the opportunity to enjoy the wilderness as I did. I will make sure that campsites are left cleaner than when I arrived and that I stick to defined tracks unless it is absolutely necessary to continue my journey.

• I will always help a stranded off-roader in need

  Never will I wave at a stuck 4X4 without at least asking if they need my assistance. Should they require help, with a quick snatch or a full blown recovery, I will be more than willing to lend a hand.

• I will keep my 4X4 happy and healthy

  In my journeys I will ask a lot from my vehicle and in the best interests of its preservation I will endeavour to keep it happy and healthy with regular maintenance and servicing, and repair any damage as soon as time and funds permit.

• I won’t let fun get in the way of safety

  Accidents will happen as I test my skills and push my vehicle to the limit but I will never forget safety. Either from a club, friend, or family member I will ensure I’m adequately educated in the dangers of my off-road endeavours and be suitably equipped to deal with them and minimise the risk. If my hands are on the steering wheel I’m responsible for my vehicle and my passengers.

• I will keep my 4X4 shiny and clean

  After every fun filled muddy trip I will clean my vehicle. If I need to use a local shared car wash to bring my vehicles duco back to its former glory I will ensure that the need individual won’t experience a booth as muddy as the tracks I left earlier that day. Like my campsites, the car wash will be cleaner when I leave.

• I won’t use my 4X4 when an alternative exists

  I’m proud of my 4X4 and want to show it off to the world, however I will remember that a short run to the shops or down to the local pub, is, where possible, better suited to a vehicle with a smaller footprint, or by some other mode of transport.

• Others have the same rights as me

  Bushwalkers and dirt bikes have just as much right to enjoy the wilderness as I do. When I encounter them I will be as friendly as I would to a fellow 4×4 owner and give them the utmost care and respect. Although they’re modes are different, they are more like me than most.

• I will never forget to enjoy myself

  Rules and etiquette exist, but I will never forget why I bought a 4X4 in the first place. If off-road adventures cease to be an enjoyable experience then I shall endeavor to re-discover the fun, excitement, and companionship that made me fall in love with getting off the beaten track.

So there you have it — my pledge as a 4X4 enthusiast — Will you join?

2 Responses to “The 4X4 Charter”

• November 11th, 2008 Robin Cole:

  With all due respect it’s easy to be critical when not in the direct line of fire. Here in the UK the media portray 4×4s in a very negative light, thanks to the many anti 4×4 groups, creating much stigma and numerous problems for British 4×4 owners.

  By adopting the Charter it makes it very hard for the anti 4×4 lobby to slate us so much (regardless as to if we are country dwellers or urban users) as we can now be seen as doing something to address the anti lobby and Governments concerns.

  I’m sorry that you found the website to have a commercial feel, and that we are offering £850 in our free prize draw. But I don’t see anyone else taking the time or putting their hand in their own pocket to fund any of this in an attempt to put 4×4 owners in a better light.

  With regards to the membership fee we think £22 is really good value for what you get – tree, membership card, window stickers, certificate, dedicated phone line and access to our members area which contains numerous offers, advice, forums, free competitions, live chat etc. Not forgetting that any profits are ploughed back to campaign and lobby Government on the behalf of 4×4 owners, in an effort to get our crazy road fund licence fees, purchase tax and fuel duty reduced.

  Combined with our special offers it is actually possible for a member to claw back their membership fee, for example discounts on insurance or offers on computers, maps, books etc. In addition members can actually earn a few ££ should they wish.

  Agreed the Charter has 10 basic principles that could apply to any motorist, however how many motorists would pledge and make a financial commitment to it? This is what sets us 4×4 users apart and shows our commitment to being responsible and considerate motorists.

  In the UK their are numerous places and off road centres that are acceptable locations to try out off roading skills without damaging the countryside that others (for example walkers and horse riders) have access to.

  None of us here at the Charter drive a BMW X5. All our 4×4s are more than 6 years old and all have had plenty of off road use, in fact one of them is used daily off road.

  None of us seek fame, we just have a passion for 4×4s and the environment and we wish to carry on enjoying both without the prejudice and stigma. Someone somewhere had to take the initiative, in our case it wasn’t someone but some group – we work as a team.

  Far from failing, we have had good press coverage about our intentions over here, and our membership numbers are growing daily.

  The 4×4 Charter has been funded by 4×4 owners and is managed by 4×4 owners who give their time free of charge (no one gets a pay packet), so that all 4×4 owners can continue to enjoy their vehicles without being priced off the road or being targets of hate campaigns.

  To us its ethical and makes a lot of sense.

• November 11th, 2008 Shayne:

  Robin, thank you for taking the time to respond to this post. We differ in opinion on a number of fronts (particular the finance angle and the fact the pledge is not 4X4 specific), but you did clear up some of the assumptions I made.

  I don’t dare underestimate the work you’ve put into this so far and as I said many times, the concept of this is so so exciting, just the execution lacks IMO.

  but I do wish you all the very best of luck and as you’ve said — someone had to take the initiative, so kudos for that.

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