The Importance of Proper ATV Safety

An ATV is a great tool, especially in my area wherehave children considering buying or driving one of
farming is prevalent. But it's also a dangerous vehiclethese vehicles you should enroll them in the course
and if not properly trained the rider can easily bebefore they even get on the machine. Better safe
injured or killed. Certain models of ATVs can go 60than sorry. Many courses are free, others are
miles an hour which is highway speeds and with noextremely low cost. Proper gear is also important. Be
rollover protection. It's like being on a motorcyclesure they have a helmet and any additional padding
with 3 or 4 wheels instead of 2. And the rider oftenas suggested by the instructors.
isn't wearing a helmet. They should, but many timesMy young children have an electric kids ATV that
they don't. Quick trips to the field can become deadlythey ride on the yard at the farm. It goes very
if precautions aren't taken.slowly and is a good way to teach them balance and
There's a sticker on our ATVs that state no driversthe basics of stopping and starting a vehicle. By
under the age of 16. I don't know if it's a law, but itgetting them exposed early they should have a
should be. Also, when you buy one you are sentgreater ability to manage the full size units when
flyer after flyer about participating in a driver safetythey're old enough. They watch their father and
course. The course teaches you about how to makegrandfather drive the big machines all the time and
sure the ATV itself is safe to drive (check tires, etc),are anxious to ride along. And when the time comes
how to mount it and proper riding posture, how tothey will be required to take a safety course in
shift your weight when driving so as not to roll overaddition to all this early exposure. The more training
at high speeds, and how to maintain control. If youthe better.