On ATV Safety
When the ATV became a major factor as a recreational and utility vehicle in 1984, it also escalated public concerns. The ATV was becoming a controversial vehicle. There were an estimated 60,000 injuries in 1986, all ATV related due to improper riding behavior and excessively dangerous thrill riding. In 1988, the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) entered into an unprecedented 10-year agreement with American ATV manufacturers called the Final Consent Decree. The agreement funded $100 million to expand existing safety programs like free training incentives for ATV owners. But the biggest move of the Final Consent Decree was the production shift from three wheeled ATVs to four wheeled ATVs. Additionally, manufacturers repurchased any unsold three wheel models and traded in three wheeled models for the four wheel ATVs.
In spite of that move, injuries and deaths still occur regularly. In 2004 alone, statistics released by the CPSC estimated 136,000 injuries associated with ATVs recorded in American hospitals. The expiration of the decree didn't help with the ATV safety practices, though it effectively replaced the three wheeled with the four wheeled ATV. And the CPSC had a number of flaws; it only covers the manufacturers present at the beginning of the decree. New manufacturers who entered the market after the Final Consent Decree are not covered by the plans, giving them considerable leeway in ATV manufacturing. Also, overseas manufacturers are completely exempt from this decree.
There have also been laws related to the nature of the machines themselves. One such is the relatonship of machine size to the rider's age. Riders under the age of 16 are strictly prohibited from riding ATVs with 90cc engines. Various states have also enacted legislations governing ATV usage within their boundaries.
Some advocates, though, argue that a child starting to ride ATVs at a younger age improves ATV safety. They believe that such a child would develop the necessary expertise as he grows older instead of waiting until he is sixteen and suddenly handling larger ATVs. In effect, CPSC approved the usage of smaller ATVs with 50cc to be used by youngsters as early as age 6.
The All Terrain Vehicle Safety Institute (ASI) was formed in 1988 to implement a program of ATV safety, education and awareness for interested ATV riders. Since it is a non-profit organization, the cost for attending ATV safety training is minimal. ASI is a division of the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA), also an organization promoting safe and responsible use of specialty vehicles.
For ATV courses near you, you can call toll free (800) 887-2887.
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