›› ATV Safety Messages - from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Like other activities involving high speeds and heavy machinery, riding an ATV can be risky. To help stay safe, follow common sense safety tips. Take knowledge to the extreme and learn more about these important tips for safer riding:

Take a hands-on safety training course.

Formal training teaches drivers how to control ATVs in typical situations. Drivers with formal, hands-on ATV training have a lower injury risk than drivers with no formal training. Always wear protective gear and especially a helmet when riding ATVs.

Many ATV injuries are head injuries. Wearing a helmet may reduce the severity of these injuries. Select a motorcycle or other motorized sports helmet and make sure the helmet is certified by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and/or the Snell Memorial Foundation. In addition, wear over-the-ankle boots, goggles, gloves, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt to protect against cuts, abrasions, and other injuries from rocks, trees, and other debris.

Do not drive ATVs with a passenger or ride as a passenger.

The majority of ATVs are designed to carry only one person. ATVs are designed for interactive riding drivers must be able to shift their weight freely in all directions, depending on the situation and terrain. Interactive riding is critical to maintaining safe control of an ATV especially on varying terrain. Passengers can make it difficult for drivers to control the ATV.

Do not drive ATVs on paved roads.

ATVs because of how they are made are difficult to control on paved roads. Collisions with cars and other vehicles can be deadly. Many fatalities involving ATVs occur on paved roads.
Do not permit children to drive or ride adult ATVs.

Children are involved in about one-third of all ATV-related deaths and hospital emergency room injuries. Most of these deaths and injuries occur when a child is driving or riding on an adult ATV. Children under 16 on adult ATVs are twice as likely to be injured as those riding youth ATVs.
Do not drive ATVs while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Alcohol and drugs impair reaction time and judgment, two essential skills for safe ATV use.

In 2006 there are reported to be more than 555 persons killed while riding ATV's over 100 of these where children under the age of 16. ATV's where not produced to be killers but it is rather the person/s riding them that make them that way. We all get that feeling of power when we ride the difference being some abuse it and let it take control while others do not.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has estimated that a additional 146,600 people where treated and released in Emergency rooms for various medical concerns relating to ATV injuries and of those more than one quarter of them where children.

So what can each of us do to help, it is really simple. Just maintain a degree of respect for the machine, be aware of what it can and cannot do then do not stretch the limits of the machine or you. But most of all as much as we all like to ride our kids included be fully aware of your kids, do not put them in harms way without considering what they can or cannot do. Ride Safe and Have Fun.