ATV Safety

Everyone knows that ATVs can be deadly but don’t realize that it could be them that shows up in the newspaper column on recent deaths. There has been an abundance of ATV accidents happening recently and it is becoming more and more of a problem. One of the reasons there has been an increase in the number of accidents is children. Nothing means more to you as a parent then your own children, yet parents still place their kids on oversized ATVs. A study at the University of Utah claimed that children may be at additional risk for rollovers on turns because of their relative lack of weight and strength, additionally ATVs have a high center of gravity and a short wheelbase to drive over rough terrain(Jolley). This causes an excess amount of accidents

Manufacturers today have improved the speed and have decreased the weight of the ATV. Today you can reach tops of 100 mph due to much larger horse powered engines, this is a problem because this much larger increase in speed causes more accidents. Logically knowing the higher rates of speed create the need to have quicker reaction times during emergency situations. Just like a driver who is tailgating a vehicle at 65 mph won’t be able to stop in time if the car slams on its brakes in front of them, an ATV driver who is going at high speeds won’t be able to properly correct the vehicle’s reaction when it hits a rough patch of ground and goes off balance causing an accident(Wpadmin). A study conducted by the University of Utah found that rollovers were the most frequent type of ATV accident, followed by collisions with other vehicles, and inanimate objects(Jolley). Accidents occur everywhere but are more common in certain states. The latest U.S. figures indicate that ATV crashes kill more than 700 people and injure 100,000 every year. Missouri having a total of 343 reported deaths, which is 12th by state(FairWarning). Across the nation citizens have voted on laws to create safety precautions due to this major

These laws are set as to not endanger a person or the property of another. A violation of these laws can result in a class C misdemeanor.This category is punishable by up to fifteen days in a county jail with or without a fine up to three hundred dollars(Model Traffic Ordinance…). These laws are in place to keep accident rates down but aren’t forced as much as other traffic laws. I personally believe these ATV laws should be better forced. Another solution is ATV safety courses. ATV safety training enhances your understanding of basic ATV operation and safe riding techniques(ATV Safety Techniques). When you know and understand safe riding techniques you can avoid hazard situations that could result in accidents. ATV courses cover safe riding techniques with hands on exercises and other concerns such as the environment, local laws, and protective gear(ATV Safety Training). Nevertheless, the problem with this solution is that not many people attend this course because it’s not required of you. I believe that all ATV owners should be required to complete an ATV safety course, just like hunters have to take a hunters education course to hunt by themselves after a certain age. Also another problem with this solution is not many of these courses are held around areas near you. Yet, there are still other things that can be done such as personally promoting safe ATV usage and awareness