As the school year draws to a close, summertime marks a time when students have more free time, some of which may be unsupervised and include access to an ATV.
REMEMBER – ATV’s are NOT TOYS! There are almost 25 million Americans operating ATVs in the United States. It is important that students and parents both understand the value of safe and responsible ATV use. Parents hold the “key” to a child’s safety. Every ATV has an ignition key.
Serious injury can result from improper use of ATVs! According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, ninety two (92) percent of all ATV-related fatalities are the result of warned-against behaviors. These behaviors include: not wearing a helmet, riding on public roads, carrying a passenger on a single-rider ATV, youth riding unsupervised, riding with no formal ATV training, and riding the wrong size ATV.
Approximately ninety (90) percent of youth ATV-related injuries occur when a child under the age of sixteen (16) is operating an adult-sized ATV. According to the ATV Safety Institute, ATVs handle differently from other vehicles such as motorcycles and cars. Proper instruction and practice are important. ATVs can be hazardous to operate. The ATV Safety Institute recommends the following safety tips:
- Always wear a helmet and other protective gear
- Never ride on public roads – another vehicle could hit you
- Never ride under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
- Never carry a passenger on a single rider vehicle
- Ride an ATV that’s right for your age
- Supervise riders younger than 16
- Not all youngsters have the strength, skills, or judgment needed to operate an ATV
- Ride only on designated trails and at a safe speed
- Proper instruction and practice are important.
Enroll in an ATV RiderCourse (If you purchased a new ATV, you may be eligible for free training) To enroll in the ATV RiderCourse nearest you, visit www.atvsafety.org and click on “Online Enrollment” or call 800.887.2887.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://www.atvsafety.org/InfoSheets/ATV_Riding_Tips.pdf
The ATV Safety Institute is a division of the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, a national not-for-profit association representing U.S. distributors ofAll-terrain vehicles. Supporting members are: Arctic Cat, BRP, CROSSRUNNER, Honda, John Deere, Kawasaki, KTM, KYMCO, Polaris, Suzuki, Tomberlin and Yamaha. HAVE A SAFE SPRING BREAK AND SUMMER!
As you enjoy the Sunshine State of Florida, visit some of the ATV parks: Apalachicola National Forest – Bristol, FL / Blountstown, FL, Big Cypress National Preserve - Bear Island - Ochopee, FL, Big Cypress National Preserve - Corn Dance, Big Cypress National Preserve - Stairsteps Zone, Big Cypress National Preserve - Turner River, Boggin' in Bunnell – Bunnell, FL, C&R Motorsports Park – Venus, FL, Central Florida Off Road Park – Polk City, FL, Dixie Hollands Place – Gainesville, FL, Florida Motoplex – Madison, FL, Hardrock Cycle Park – Ocala, FL, Horse Hole Mud Bog - Inglis, FL, L-Cross Extreme - Okeechobee, FL, Mallory Swamp, Lafayette County, FL, Matanzas State Forest - St Augustine, FL, Milton E. Thompson Park - Miami, FL, Motocross of Marion County - Citra, FL, Ocala National Forest - Ocala Adventure Trail System – Ocala, FL, Centennial Trail - Altoona, FL, Ocala National Forest - Ocala North OHV Trail System - Salt Springs, FL, Ocala National Forest - Wandering Wiregrass OHV Trail System - Altoona, FL, Ocean Pond Mudd Bogg & Off Road Park - Old Town, FL, Osceola National Forest - Olustee, FL, Redneck Yacht Club – Punta Gorda, FL, Tates Hell State Forest - Carrabelle, FL, Tri-State Off Road Park - Clarksville, FL, and Utopia Motocross & ATV Park – Old Town, FL
REMEMBER - Safety is a PRIORITY!
