Jones Co. Sheriff's Office targets ATV safety

The Jones Co. Sheriff’s Office has issued a zero tolerance policy for drivers of ATVs operating the vehicles on county roads. Sheriff Alex Hodge said this week that he has encouraged his deputies to write tickets and take the vehicle away on a second offense.

“I want to encourage our residents to enjoy their time on ATVs, but they need to stay out of the road,” he said. “I’m not taking the fun away, but my job is to save and protect lives. Because of the enforcement, we have seen a significant reduction in ATV activity on our roads.”

According to the Website ATVsafety.gov, approximately 271 ATV deaths were reported between 1982 and 2007, 65 of those between 2005 and 2007. Nationwide, over 150,000 ER-treated injuries were reported in 2007 alone.

Hodge said he knows firsthand how dangerous driving ATVs can be.

“We actually had someone killed out in the Hebron area a couple years ago,” he said. “We know they’re out there, but we’re encouraging them to stay off the road. We’re not going to tolerate it.”

Hodge echoed the ATVsafety.gov report in asking residents to follow some common sense tips when operating ATVs including:

• 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 — 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’re made — are difficult to control on paved roads. Collisions with cars and other vehicles also 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 conclusion, Hodge is asking all residents to remain safe while driving ATVs, which includes staying off county roads. “There are plenty of approved places to ride them in the county, such as hunting lands and ATV parks,” he said.

For more information on ATV laws and driving tips, visit www.atvsafety.gov.

Source: http://www.leadercall.com/local/local_story_187111843.html

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