ATV operators must heed warnings and promote safety

As March rolls around, the return of warmer temperatures is quickly approaching.

More pleasant weather for being outdoors likely will lead to an increase in the use of all-terrain vehicles. And with that comes the reality that many people either will be unversed on safe use of those ATVs or simply will choose to ignore safety precautions.

Inattentiveness to such precautions means a user is taking a big risk of becoming a victim and a statistic.

People die and suffer serious injury while using ATVS. Numbers available at www.ATVSafety.gov show the total number of reported deaths in Indiana for the period from 1982 to 2007 had registered at least 170 (but data collection is incomplete for 2005 to 2007). A national statistic helps illustrate the threat to ATV users younger than 16, with 107 deaths having occurred in 2007 alone.

The most prominent safety precaution that’s found on the aforementioned Web site is for operators to complete a hands-on safety training workshop. While adults might often choose to ignore that suggestion for themselves, it would behoove them to look differently upon the advice as they might put youngsters on an ATV.

Safety workshops are scheduled periodically around the state. Among them is one targeting young people in grades 3 through 12. It’s planned for April 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is sponsored by the Purdue University Extension Service and Indiana conservation officers, and the location will be the Floyd County 4-H Fairgrounds in New Albany.

The words the extension service has assigned to the ATV risks are worth pondering. Purdue has reported the risk “is directly related to children riding ATVs having basically the power of an automobile with the protection of a bicycle.”

ATVs, unfortunately, are often operated by children too small for the size and power of the vehicle and who do not have proper knowledge on how to handle it safely. Furthermore, the operators often do not have the proper safety gear. That includes a helmet.

The Web site reports many ATV injuries are head injuries, and wearing a helmet might reduce the severity of the injuries. In addition, operators should wear over-the-ankle boots, goggles, gloves, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt to protect against cuts and abrasions. ATVSafety.gov offers a variety of other safety tips.

Among them:

Do not drive ATVs with a passenger or ride as a passenger. The majority of ATVs are designed to carry only one person. The vehicles are designed for what is called “interactive riding.” That means drivers must be able to shift their weight freely in all directions, depending on the situation and terrain.

Do not drive ATVs on paved roads. ATVs are difficult to control on paved roads. Collisions with cars and other vehicles can be deadly. Many fatalities involving ATVs occur on paved roads.

Organizers of ATV workshops such as the one scheduled in April concede that youngsters are going to continue to operate ATVs. The goal in sponsoring workshops is not, then, to prevent the activity, but is to make sure children are as safe as possible on the vehicles.

The advice to ATV operators of all ages is to learn and follow operating precautions. It’s advice that’s particularly important in the effort to keep children safe on ATVs and to keep them from becoming ATV statistics.

Source: http://www.tmnews.com/stories/2009/03/01/opinion.nw-881127.tms

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