Ride Atv Texas
Yamaha Rhino ATV Accidents Rollover, other mishaps Atv blames poor design
All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are popular. Despite that are used for recreation, they are not toys and should be used with caution. But even when a rider is sensible, and takes all possible safety precautions, ATV accidents can still occur. This is especially true when the design of an ATV is defective, as is the case with the Yamaha Rhino ATV, or when the vehicle is not the right size for the person using it.
According to a report published earlier this year Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), ATVs killed more than 500 people in 2006, and nearly 1 in 5 victims was a child. Accidents involving these vehicles sent 146 600 people to emergency rooms that same year. The CPSC said Pennsylvania has had the greatest number of reported ATV deaths since 1982, followed by California, West Virginia, Texas and Kentucky. Every state had at least one death attributed to ATVs.
Many ATVs can go as fast as 55 mph and may weigh heavier than a quarter ton. About 75 percent of all ATV accidents result in serious damage to the head or spinal cord of the victim the accident. Head injuries are a major cause of serious life-threatening physical problems and ailments or permanent. Injury to the spinal cord may result the paralysis of the entire body for life.
Often, ATV accident injuries are the result of poorly designed vehicles. For example, a bad design has been blamed for the high rate of fatal and serious accidents involving the Yamaha Rhino ATV often. Critics claim this vehicle dangerous design of senior ago rollover accidents much more likely in tight corners, even when the Rhino is on a flat surface at a low rate of speed. Worse, the Yamaha Rhino provides no protection for RIDERÂ € ™ s legs in the event of a rollover.
Victims of Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents usually have broken or crushed legs, ankles or feet. In some cases, victims have been permanently disabled, and members amputees following a Yamaha Rhino rollover. Children are more at risk in Rhino rollover accidents, and vehicle weight can crush their little bodies if they are caught below it.
Despite an increasing number of reports of Yamaha Rhino ATV accident, the company has never issued a recall of vehicles. In 2006, Yamaha sent a letter to the owners of Rhino ATV warning that was prone to tip when passing through tight turns. Passengers are advised to use seatbelts, and thus maintain their hands, arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times. The letter also included information on handling the Rhino if it should start to turn and a couple of warning labels that the owners were instructed to place on the vehicle.
Unfortunately, the card is nothing to reduce the number of accidents Rhino ATV rollover. In 2007, Yamaha finally offered to modify all Rhino ATVs free. These modifications included new doors and additional passenger handholds for the Rhino. The company also provided more warning labels be placed on the vehicle, and updated the Rhinoâ € ™ s owner's manual.
While Yamaha Rhino problems are well documented, some experts doubt that a child can safely ride any ATV. Currently, a research group at the University of Kentucky are trying to find out if they are right. The group, comprised of engineers, trauma surgeons and experts in prevention is to make a detailed study of several years to measure various physical and behavioral aspects of ATV safety, particularly with children.
In August, the University of Kentucky researchers published the preliminary results of experiments with the current ATV size guidelines. Parents Are instructed to use these guidelines to find an appropriate size ATV for their children. But according to the results of these experiments, while the current guidelines limit the size of the engine, that are far short of determining the correct frame size for young drivers.
The group said current ATV size guidelines do not take into account the variability in size and body shape between children of the same age or even the same age. For example: for children more children under 16 can fit into the chassis of the vehicle best adult size, although the recommendation would be that a youth sized frame or engine. Improper size frame can adversely affect the ability of a rider to steer properly, brake or navigate different terrains.
The study also found that seven of the eight children age 6-11 tested did not meet recommended existing guidelines for proper fit when mounted on the vehicle off-road adult size. The researchers stressed that, regardless of experience or supervision, a child in this age group should never be allowed in an adult size ATV.
This coincides with the CPSC's own statistics on ATV accidents. According to its annual report, the majority of ATV deaths and injuries resulting from young children riding adult size ATVs. Consumer advocates have asked the CPSC to ban the sale of ATVs adult size for use by children, but the agency has declined to do so. There is only a voluntary agreement in place with major ATV distributors which require dealers not to sell vehicles land the size of adults to persons who might allow children to ride. Consumer groups say few dealers comply with the rule.
About the Author
Pittsburgh, PA-based freelance writer.
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