Missouri Ag Connection - ATVs in Wrong Hands are Hazardous to Health

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ATVs in Wrong Hands are Hazardous to Health
Missouri Ag Connection - 07/30/2010

All-terrain vehicles account for nearly 150,000 emergency room visits and over 800 deaths each year in the U.S. About 1 in 4 of these deaths is a child under age 16. Missouri in recent weeks has seen a rash of preventable ATV incidents and injuries.

The injury rate is likely understated, because many ATV injuries are treated at home and are not reported, according to Bob Schultheis, University of Missouri Extension natural resource engineering specialist.

"Accidents involving ATVs have become much more common. This is partly due to the introduction of Chinese-made ATVs that do not have the safety devices of the U.S.?made models," said Schultheis. "Higher gas prices are causing some vehicle owners to shift to ATVs to get around. And sometimes, riders just ignore good safety practices."

Under Missouri law, no one under age 18 is to operate an ATV without a helmet, and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, or riding on a parent's land if under age 16.

"Parents who do not provide proper safety gear and an age-appropriate safe environment for their children can be subject to expensive lawsuits filed by personal injury attorneys on behalf of the injured children," said Schultheis.

Riding on public roads is prohibited, except for agricultural purposes or official government use. Even then, the ATV must be equipped with a lighted head lamp and tail lamp, a slow-moving-vehicle (SMV) emblem, a 7-foot high bicycle flag on the rear of the ATV, and an approved muffler/spark arrester and braking system. The operator must have a valid license and the ATV must be operated at speeds less than 30 miles per hour.

"Most ATVs are not designed to carry passengers. That long seat is needed by the driver to allow him or her to shift their weight to stay stable on uneven terrain," said Schultheis. "ATVs designed for passengers will have a backseat and hand rests."

Children should be at least age 6 to ride, and be matched to an ATV with an engine size less than 70 cubic centimeters (cc). Those ages 6-12 should be matched with a 70-90 cc model, and only those age 16 or older should ride ATV with engines over 90 cc.

"Anyone that drives an ATV should wear appropriate safety gear," Schultheis warned.

That includes a helmet that bears one of the following labels: the Department of Transportation, the American National Standards Institute, or the SNELL Memorial Foundation.

"Make sure the helmet fits snugly when fastened," Schultheis said. "Full-face helmets will protect your face. Open-face helmets are lighter and cooler, but then you should have some mouth protection to wear with them."

To protect eyes, wear a scratch-free face shield or goggles. These should bear the markings VESC8, V8 or Z87.1 in one corner, or they should be made of hard?coated polycarbonate. They should be securely fastened and well-ventilated to prevent fogging.

Schultheis also recommends a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and leather gloves to protect you from sun, dust, brush and bugs. Sturdy, above-the-ankle boots are needed for foot protection.

For frequent riders, he suggests off-road style motorcycle gloves and a pair of strong, over-the-calf boots with low heels to prevent your feet from slipping out of the footrests.

As of April 2009, manufacturers must offer ATV buyers free hands-on training through their dealers. Consumers who take the training get $100 worth of incentives, including $50 cash. Ask your dealer for details, contact the ATV Safety Institute at 1?800-887-2887, or enroll on-line at www.atvsafety.org

For more ATV safety information, visit www.atvsafety.gov, or get MU guide G1936 "All-Terrain Vehicles" from the nearest University of Missouri Extension center, or on?line at http;//extension.missouri.edu.