| ATV's (All Terrain Vehicles) have been given the | | | | protective gear, which should include helmet, gloves, |
| reputation of being dangerous, because each year | | | | boots and eye protection so that their body is |
| more and more adults and children have been | | | | protected from any hazards that will occur whilst out |
| seriously injured or killed whilst riding such vehicles. | | | | riding or any potential accident. |
| But just like any other vehicle an ATV can be | | | | Most ATV accidents occur when there is one or |
| dangerous in much the same way as a car, sports | | | | more person on the vehicle and as they have been |
| utility vehicle, motorcycles or trucks are. Often | | | | specifically designed for use by one person only, by |
| accidents which involve an ATV occur due to them | | | | having the weight of two people on the ATV it is |
| being used improperly or by ignorance on the part of | | | | likely to cause it to turn over. Also being distracted |
| the rider. IN fact there is no guarantee that you will | | | | by the passenger on the ATV could cause an |
| not be injured whilst riding on an ATV, in much the | | | | accident. Never ride a ATV on hard surfaces such as |
| same way as there is no guarantee that you will not | | | | concrete or asphalt as they have been specifically |
| be injured whilst in a car; however, there are safety | | | | designed for off road use only, not only do you have |
| precautions that should be taken which will help to | | | | the added hazard of dealing with cars and trucks on |
| minimize this risk. | | | | a road, but you will also find the ATV does not |
| Firstly, no one under the age of 16 should be allowed | | | | perform as well on a hard surface and it may in fact |
| to ride a full sized ATV and this recommendation has | | | | be very difficult to control. |
| been put forward by the American Academy of | | | | In fact many accidents that have been reported |
| Pediatrics and should be read as the law. The reason | | | | when some is using an ATV is because of the driver |
| why children under the age of 16 should not be riding | | | | using the vehicle improperly, this includes such things |
| a full size ATV is that they have not developed the | | | | as riding at high speeds, not be able to control the |
| necessary skills for operating such machinery and if | | | | vehicle over dangerous and difficult terrain, or they |
| your child is interested in riding an ATV, you will find | | | | interact dangerously with other individuals or ATV's. |
| that many manufacturers have produced ones that | | | | Always remember that an ATV has been designed |
| have less powerful engines. Before you allow your | | | | to be used on certain terrain at certain speeds and at |
| child to ride an ATV you must ensure that they are | | | | all times speeding should be avoided since this may |
| aware of the correct rules and procedures for | | | | cause the vehicle to tip over or crash. Also avoid |
| operating such vehicles. You will find that there are | | | | carrying out any stunts or tricks whilst on ATV. |
| many training courses available which will teach you | | | | If you are going away from home using your ATV |
| the correct procedures for driving an ATV across | | | | then ensure that you have some form of |
| the country and it is a good idea to enroll on one | | | | communication device with you such as a walkie |
| prior to operating your ATV. | | | | talkie or a mobile phone for calling for help during an |
| At all times a rider should where the correct | | | | emergency. |