|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ATV Safety
ATVs have become popular for work and recreation on many farms and ranches. Unfortunately, reported cases of serious injury and death have increased along with their increased use. Most of these injuries and deaths can be attributed to improper use of ATVs. Make ATV safety a priority on your farm or ranch.
- An ATV is not a toy. Children should not be permitted to operate ATVs without specialized training and then they should be allowed to only operate an ATV of an appropriate size. Contact the ATV Safety Institute to enroll in a course.
- ATVs with an engine size of 70cc to 90cc should be operated by people at least 12 years of age.
- ATVs with an engine size of greater than 90cc should only be operated by people at least 16 years of age.
- Wear appropriate riding gear: DOT-, Snell ANSI-approved helmet, goggles, gloves, over-the-ankle boots, long-sleeve shirt and long pants.
- Read owners manuals carefully.
- ATVs are not made for multiple riders. Never carry anyone else on the ATV.
- Any added attachments affect the stability, operating and braking of the ATV.
- Just because an attachment is available doesn't mean that it can be used without increasing your risk of being injured.
- Do not operate the ATV on streets, highways or paved roads.
Inspection
- Are tires and wheels in good condition?
- Are controls and cable operational?
- Does the chain have proper slack and is it lubricated?
- Is riding gear (including a helmet) available and worn?
Information supplied by the National Safety Council's Agricultural Division.
 |
ATVs & Off-Road
Operating and riding on all terrain vehicles is dangerous and risky and should be done as safely as possible. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has reported 2,752 ATV-related deaths since 1982. California, Pennsylvania, New York and Michigan are the states with highest death rates due to ATVs.
In recent years, there have been approximately 250 ATV-related deaths and 65,000 accidents each year. Forty percent of all injuries and deaths occur in children and teenagers 16 and younger. Many of these accidents result in severe head injuries, facial injuries, broken bones and paralysis. These injuries are painful and may result in permanent damage and/or physical rehabilitation. Most accidents are caused from rolling over, falling from the ATV or colliding with a stationary object.
Safety Tips
Children and teenagers under the age of 16 should not operate or ride an ATV. Teenagers and adults who are 16 or older should exercise the following precautions:
- Operate an ATV appropriate in size (engine size should be less than 90 cc).
- Take a “hands-on” training course offered by certified instructors.
- Wear a helmet.
- Wear other protective gear such as boots, long pants and gloves.
- Operate an ATV during the daylight – lights on an ATV don’t provide adequate lighting when the vehicle is bouncing or turning.
- Do not carry passengers – this makes it difficult to control the ATV which could cause it to tip or roll over.
- Never use alcohol while operating the vehicle.
|
Age Restrictions
- No person under 14 years of age shall operate a recreation vehicle, except as provided below:
- A person who is 12 or 13 years of age may operate if directly supervised by a person 18 years of age or older.
- A person, who is 10 or 11 years of age, may operate if directly supervised by a person 18 years old or older and the vehicle is operated on land upon which the operator lives.
- A person under 14 years of age may operate in a sanctioned race, rally, or organized event, which has been approved by the appropriate local authority.
- Under no circumstances, may a person operate who is less than 10 years of age.
- No person under the age of 16 and ½ years of age shall operate a recreation vehicle across a public way.
Safety Equipment
Persons operating or riding on a recreation vehicle shall wear an approved helmet. Each recreation vehicle must also be equipped with an adequate braking system. An adequate muffler designed to reduce unusual or excessive noise and obnoxious fumes is required. Each recreation vehicle must be equipped with and display after sunset, one or more headlights, a red rear light and red rear reflector. Trailers attached to recreation vehicle must have a red rear reflector.
Advice on ATVs
As bigger and faster ATV's have been introduced over the past decade, ATV-related deaths and injuries have increased substantially in every age group. From 1997 to 2001, injury rates increased 23 percent for children age 6 to 12, and 233 percent for children younger than age 6.
ATVs are motorized vehicles with large, low-pressure tires. They are usually designed to carry one rider on an uneven surface and are generally used for recreation and farm, ranch and industrial work. Adult-sized ATVs have engines larger than 90cc. The average adult-sized ATV has an engine between 229cc and 649cc. These vehicles weigh between 400 and 600 pounds and can travel at speeds well above 70 miles per hour. Youth-sized ATVs come in various designs. Manufacturer's guidelines suggest that children under the age of 6 should operate ATVs with engines smaller than 90cc, and children age 6 to 12 operate ATVs with engines between 70cc and 90cc.
Prevention Effectiveness
Wearing a helmet while operating an ATV reduces the risk of fatal head injury by 42 percent, and the risk of non-fatal head injury by 64 percent. Helmets, however, cannot protect from other common causes of ATV-related injuries such as spinal cord, thoracic and abdominal injuries and asphyxiation.
Prevention Tips
 |
Children under age 6 should never ride ATVs. |
|
No child under age 16 should operate an adult-sized ATV under any circumstances. If a child operates a youth-sized ATV, it should be according to the manufacturer's instructions. |
|
Parents should consider a child's physical, mental and emotional maturity when deciding if the child is ready to operate a youth-sized ATV. |
|
Children should never operate an AYV on public or paved roads. |
|
Personal protective equipment for ATV operators should include a US Department of Transportation-approved helmet with face protection, goggles (if the helmet does not have face protection), a long-sleeved shirt or jacket, long pants, non-skid boots and gloves. |
|
Never carry passengers on ATVs. |
|
Children and their parents or guardian should enroll in and successfully complete an approved ATV safety course. |
|
|
|
