Atv Safety
Children and ATV-related accidents
There is an ATV safety crisis in America today, and poses a great threat to the health and welfare children of our nation. All Terrain Vehicles (ATV) was first made available in the U.S. in early 1970 and have become increasingly popular since then.
At first glance, may seem harmless all-terrain vehicles, but the number of ATV-related injuries (http://www.accidentinjuryattorneyscalifornia.com/atv_accidents.html) and deaths continues to rise with their popularity.
Over 136 000 Americans suffer ATV-related injuries (http://www.bestattorney.com) and deaths per year and increasingly more than a third of victims are under 16 years of age. Despite the growing epidemic, ATV manufacturers continue to market bigger, faster ATVs and more dangerous for children.
ATV has been available in the United States for about 40 years. Three or four wheeled motorized machines designed specifically for off-road travel.
ATVs are intended for use only one occupant and are characterized by an open chassis or frame, which travels the large, low-pressure tires, and uses handlebars for steering. three-wheel machines have not been manufactured since 1988, but many still remain in use.
ATV engines range from 49cc to 950cc and can travel at speeds well above 70 miles per hour.
In mid-1980, ATV manufacturers were selling about 600,000 three-and four-wheel ATV every year in the United States. As ATV sales continued to rise, the pronounced increase in ATV-related accidents often.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) responded to the security crisis by negotiating a consent decree with ATV manufacturers in which they agreed, among other things, five main elements (http://www.cpsc.gov/library/atv2005.pdf):
– ATV manufacturers agreed to stop making three-wheeled ATV.
– ATV manufacturers offer safety training to all new ATV owners.
– ATV manufacturers recommend adult-sized ATVs only for over 16 years of age and older.
– Manufacturers of ATV is labeled with warnings for all ATV, instructing purchasers that children should not ride off-road adult size.
– ATV ATV manufacturers recommend engine sizes according to age: motor road with a greater than 70cc should only be used by Children 12 years or older, and ATVs with an engine greater than 90cc should only be used for 16 years or more.
The Consent Decree only covered a period of ten years and expired on April 28, 1988. After the expiration of the Consent Decree, ATV manufacturers agreed to continue most of its elements through voluntary action plans. These agreements include important safety features, however, unlike the Consent Decree, security plans Volunteers are not required by the CPSC.
In the late 1980s to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) began to initiate a series of ATV-related injuries with death and studies for the public release.
The first report, entitled "All-Terrain Vehicle Exposure, injury, death and Studies Risk "was released in April 1988. Some of the main findings in the 1988 study included (http://www.cpsc.gov/LIBRARY/FOIA/FOIA98/os/3548A4B.pdf):
– Approximately 95 percent of children aged between 12 and 15 years old, injured in ATV-related accidents were operating vehicles all land the size of adults.
– Approximately 65 percent of children under 11 years old, were injured in ATV-related accidents were operating adult-size ATV.
– Children under age 16 accounted for nearly 50 percent of all ATV-related injuries.
ATV injuries and deaths have continued increasing since the first studies of the CPSC on ATV-related accidents in the 1980s.
According to the latest estimates of the CPSC, there have been 7188 reports of deaths and an estimated 1.7638 million emergency room-treated injuries that have occurred between 1983 and 2005. More than 38 percent of the victims have been, and will still, children under 16 years of age.
The following list shows currently most ATV-related deaths and injuries of children according to the CPSC. (Http: / / www.cpsc.gov/library/atv2005.pdf)
– More than 40,000 children are seriously injured each year in accidents related to ATV.
– Between 1983 and 2005 at least 2178 children under 16 died from ATV-related accidents.
– Between 1983 and 2005, more than 630,000 children under 16 went to an emergency room for ATV-related injuries.
– More than 42 percent of children who die in ATV-related deaths are are under 12 years of age.
– It is estimated that more than 36 percent of children injured in ATV-related accidents are not fatal under 12 years of age.
Despite the increase in ATV-related injuries and deaths, ATVs continue to grow faster and more dangerous than ever.
manufacturers All-Terrain Vehicle ATV aggressive advertising based on power and speed, with a weight of 800 pounds and traveling at speeds well above 70 miles per hour.
Despite the warnings and size restrictions, 90 percent of children involved in ATV related accidents in 2005 were operating large vehicles Powerful all-terrain, the size of an adult.
According to the Wall Street Journal, ATV manufacturers are pushing for a new category of ATV more bigger and faster for the image conscious 14 – and 15-years old. ATV manufacturers call this new category of "transition" ATV, claiming which could reduce deaths by encouraging children to ride ATV models more appropriate to their age. However, many consumer advocates say "strengthening young people options "undermine the safety message and put more young racers larger, more powerful machines.
(Http: / / online.wsj.com/public/article/SB117677627556672193-8Uwp189JnDUw1_56wvQpY9v2CEg_20070521.html? Mod = editsend)
The emergence of ATV-related injuries and deaths to children has become so great that pediatricians, orthopedic surgeons, medical researchers, Consumer advocates and others have called for a ban on the use of ATVs by children under 16 years.
TS Park, MD, Shi Hue Huang Professor of Neurological Surgery at the School of Medicine and chief pediatric neurosurgeon at St. Louis Children's Hospital, contributed to a review published in the Journal of Neurosurgery claiming that ATV-related accidents are "leading to an increasing number of deaths and devastating injuries with lifelong consequences for children and their parents. "
In the review, the park and his colleagues recommend a new legislation to reduce rising rates of serious injury and death from ATV-related accidents.
The following are guidelines that Park and his colleagues believe that would greatly reduce the number of injuries and deaths of children in ATV-related accidents. (Http: / / www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/09/atvs_children.html)
– Children under 16 years of age should be banned off-road vehicle travel.
– Mandatory helmet laws should be in order.
– The compulsory education and certification programs for all owners ATV and operators should be in order.
– ATV should be prohibited for all public streets and highways.
Almost 20 years after the industry of the ATV has agreed to improve safety, ATV-related accidents continue to have an alarming cost in children. Each year hundreds of thousands of children are injured or killed in ATV-related accidents.
Despite increases in ATV injuries and deaths related to children have always followed the increases in popularity, sales, size and power of ATVs, state legislatures have not enacted appropriate legislation to ensure that safety remains the case.
It is clear that ATVs pose a significant danger to children and it is time for national safety standards to be implemented.
About the Author
John Bisnar is a partner at Newport Beach Personal Injury Law Firm Bisnar Chase. The Bisnar Chase law firm has dedicated their practice to victims of serious injuries due to defective products, negligence and malpractice.
Visit the Bisnar Chase main website at http://www.bestattorney.com.
ATV Safety Story on Good America 9/21/06
|
|
Schumacher SC-600A SpeedCharge High Frequency Battery Charger $31.15 Schumacher SC-600A 6/4/2 Amp 12 Volt SpeedCharge High Frequency Battery Charger Schumacher SC-600A 6/4/2 Amp 12 Volt SpeedCharge High Frequency Battery Charger Features: Fully automatic 6 amp medium charge monitors battery condition and adjusts charge rate downward to prevent battery damage, for car, truck, motorcycle, ATV, snowmobile, lawn tractor lead acid, and AGM batteries 4 amp medium charge … |
|
|
GunVault NV300 NanoVault with Combination Lock $23.95 GunVault is pleased to introduce NanoVault thepact secure and affordable handgun storage safe solution. Available in two sizes the NanoVault is perfect for home travel or concealed-weapon permit holders. The NanoVault meets TSA airline firearm guidelines and fits discreetly in a bag briefcase desk or under a vehicle seat.The NanoVault features an easy-to-operate key lock system 21-gauge steel cons… |
|
|
No-Spill 1415 1-1/4-Gallon Poly Gas Can (CARB Compliant) $12.13 The 1 1/4-gal. No-Spill gas can features professional-quality push-button pour control that makes it fast and easy to fill your gas tank without spilling a drop. Simply hold down the button for smooth, uninterrupted fuel flow at an exceptionally fast rate. The flow automatically stops when the target tank is full – no overfilling. EPA and CARB (California Air Resource Board) approved. U.S.A. Tank… |
|
|
All Terrain Vehicle, Car Wash, Elevator, ATM $1.99 … |
|
|
ATV Safety on the Farm … |
|
|
Ride Safe, Ride Smart $0.04 “Ride Safe, Ride Smart” is a RiderCourse Training VHS produced in 2000 by the ATV Safety Institute…. |
|
|
First Aid Only Outdoor First Aid Kit, Soft Case, 205-Piece Kit $16.95 Perfect for hiking camping marine adventures home & auto. Our outdoor softsided kit features all the essential first aid items for minor aches and injuries. Supplies are easy to find in patent pending clear-pocket pages.Kit Includes:(50) 3/4″x3″ Adhesive plastic bandages(25) 3/4″x3″ Fabric bandages(10) 1″x3″ Fabric bandages(4) Knuckle fabric bandages(4) Fingertip fabric bandages(2) 2″x4″ Elbow & k… |
|
|
ASTERISK CELL Adult Knee Brace … |
|
|
Power Wheels 6-Volt Rechargeable Battery $19.95 Rechargeable 6-volt battery works with most Fisher-Price Power Wheels vehicles…. |
|
|
Power Wheels DC Super Friends Batman Lil’ Quad $76.90 Tots can hop on this battery-powered Batman four-wheeler for endless adventures…. |