Title describes very literally what happened. It's a fun story.
It's also a private road and it's unclear whether it's supposed to be open to the public.
It's also a private road and it's unclear whether it's supposed to be open to the public.
As a backcountry motorcyclist I'm accustomed to coming upon roads that are "private" because some rancher decided to hang a sign but in reality it's a public right-of-way. Also as a backcountry motorcyclist I'm smart enough to not drive a Prius down a mud trail. Not sure what is wrong with people today. We have more information than ever, we should be making better decisions than ever, but the truth is the opposite.
Ended up having a fairly civil conversation with the "owner" before turning around, but he was adamant that I was on private property and would not be allowed to continue.
Did the owner know it was Google's "influence" causing people to trespass? If so had the owner informed Google?
It was ~15 miles shorter than the highway route, but I can't imagine its actually a shorter travel time in anything short of a very well equipped 4x4. I just happen to like dirt roads.
I also did not press him for details, so I don't know if this was a recurring issue or not.
Not sure they care about Googles influence at all.
Edited to include the relevant laws:
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.9.htm#D
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.9.htm#C
From this source:
See Texas Penal Code §9.31 (castle doctrine as it relates to trespass and non-deadly force) and §9.32 (castle doctrine as it relates to habitation and deadly force).
There are other codes however allowing for the use of deadly force
is also justified in using deadly force if: (1) he reasonably believes that it is necessary to use force to prevent or terminate the trespass; and (2) he reasonably believes deadly force is necessary to prevent the trespasser from committing certain crimes, such as arson, burglary, or robbery.
Just stating a word of caution. Life is different than the city and laws vary but landowners have significant rights.
I live in AZ and am surrounded by reservation or BLM land. There are no clear markers marking the difference.
You don't go around shooting people you see on your property. "You did WHAT Jim? Because you saw some guy out in the cotton?"
(Now watch that same individual in this thread come back and say, "well, it's not like that in cotton country, but where they're ranching..." and...no.)
What I am cautioning some people about is living in southern AZ (and I am sure TX) there are specific dangers and police are sometimes over an hour away. ( most of the time at least 30 minutes)
Drug runners and coyotes do operate out here and if you interact with someone who lives in an area like this they see that stuff.
Following your GPS and ending up in a wash you shouldnt be in can create a situation where a landowner, who knows police arent coming anytime soon to protect him, can be a bit nervous.
Most people have guns in their trucks out here too.
It is not the same as a city but nowhere did I say folks out in the country are gunning to shoot someone.
I did say be careful. Not all of the news about bad stuff on the border is dramatized.
Edit
Not to mention you might run into the drug runner or coyote who is already not following laws
How is it hard to see ? Ever been shot at walking around what amounts to your extended backyard ?
IMO that's the issue. People get so overly confident that the source of that information is never wrong so they blindly trust it. It's if the more info someone has the less critical thinking they will do.