In 2009, the last calculated year by the U.S. Government’s , 61 children 16 and under were killed in ATV Accidents. 32,400 children were also injured and had to go to the emergency room. Both of these numbers were the lowest in over a decade, which is due to the fact that safety precautions have been implemented and have been followed more closely by riders. This is also due to the fact that ATV laws have been passed across the nation in order to ensure the safety of all riders.
The Federal Government’s ATV Website offers six safety tips for all riders to follow. These are:
1. Take safety training courses. Learning how to safely ride your atv and how to handle various situations can reduce your rish of injury.
2. Wear protective gear. The most frequent injuries from atv accidents are to the head. Wearing a helmet signifcantly reduces the risk of head injuries. Also, long pants, long sleeved shirts, googles and over the ankle boots are recommended as they can help avoid injury from rocks, debris and other potential hazards.
3. Never ride with a passenger. Unlike motorcycles, all atvs are designed exclusively to carry one person. Since riders have to shift their weight in all directions, having a passenger on the atv makes controlling it more difficult. Being able to control the atv at all times is critical to safe riding.
4. Never take your atv on paved roads. They are made for off road travel. Taking them on to a paved road makes them difficult to control. Plus, there is the added danger of cars. Collisions with cars can be deadly. Most deaths on atvs take place on paved roads.
5. Children can not drive adult atvs. They are more difficult to control than youth atvs. Children under 16 are twice as likely to die in an accident on an adult atv than a youth atv. Children account for a third of all deaths and injuries on atvs. By getting a youth atv, children are much safer and less likely to be involved in an accident.
6. Do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This one is a no-brainer, given the statistics of how many people die in car accidents involving alcohol/drugs. Taking these substances and riding impairs your judgement and senses, which makes an already dangerous activity much more dangerous. It is illegal to engage in just like DWI.
There are additional precautions which children should take before riding. Parents should inspect the atv to make sure that everything is fine with it before it is taken out. Malfunctions that go undetected can lead to serious consequences. Also, showing children the proper positioning on how to ride the atv is important. With eyes forward, hands on the handle bars, elbows ben slightly away from the body, shoulders relaxed, back straight, feet firmly on the footrests and kness tucked in, children can be safer and much less likely to fall off. Point out the controls to the child so they know where each component is.
Finally, they should practice riding under supervision before even going out for longer rides. This is in case they need time to get used to riding and fall off the first time. It is also a good idea for, at least when starting to ride, parents to chaperone their children. This is due to the fact that children are less likely to show off in front of friends when their parents are around. Also, it is because the parents can help keep their children safe and show them the proper way to ride.
Additionally, in 44 of the 50 U.S. States, there are some kind of atv laws to protect the safety of all riders. These laws vary by state given the geographic variation and the different needs ofeach state. Maryland, for example, requires riders to posess a driver’s license. The exception is children who are at least 12 years of age and accompanied by an adult. Certification for the atv is required before one can operate it. The benefit is that parents would be able to chaperone their children while riding on atvs, which will greatly reduce the likelihood of children getting injured. California requires all riders to complete a safety training course before they can get the certification to ride an atv. This makes sense since safety training greatly reduced the likelihood of being in an accident. Most every other state has laws similar to these laws as these are certain aspects that are needed to keep children and all riders safe.
ATV riding is a fun activity for children. Their safety can be a nightmare to think about through parents. But, through a combination of safety training, proper equipment and parental supervision, atv riding can be a much safer and enjoyable experience for children and parents alike.