| ATV - All Terrain Vehicle sounds a mouthful when it | | | | "extra passenger" on an ATV or even attempt to |
| is being pronounced in its full name, but just how | | | | ride on their own on an adult ATV. There are |
| much do you know about ATVs? You may have | | | | specially designed youth ATVs that are made for |
| read stories about ATVs in the newspapers, | | | | kids below 16 years of age. If you want to find out |
| magazines or even on the internet, but what do you | | | | more about youth ATVs, try visiting or for some |
| really know about them? | | | | great models. |
| How many of you know that an ATV is not just a | | | | An ATV can travel at an excess speed of 60 miles |
| big boy's toy? If you are one of those who raised | | | | per hour and weighs over 700 pounds. These |
| your hands, good on you but if you are one of those | | | | machines can easily roll and tip over. Their |
| who are not sure if ATVs are just a big boy's toys | | | | unpredictable nature in off road conditions makes |
| or not - well, we will let you in on a little secret, | | | | training and proper usage of ATVs very important. |
| ATVs are not just big boys' toys! ATVs are powerful | | | | Just in 2003 alone, there were about 740 deaths |
| and could be potentially dangerous machines if it is | | | | related to ATVs that includes 140 reported deaths |
| not properly handled or if safety measures are not | | | | involving children. In 2004, it is said that an estimate |
| taken when riding on one. Unfortunately, not many | | | | of 136,000 ATV related injuries were treated in |
| people "remember" this fact when they go out to | | | | hospital emergency rooms. Just these figures alone |
| ride on their ATVs. The recent report of the death | | | | should make you take up proper ATV training and |
| of Hunter Benton, a 14-month old toddler, while riding | | | | riding courses as well as learning and practicing the |
| on an ATV with his grandfather is a sad reminder | | | | safety rules and regulations. |
| that goes to show just how "forgetful" people can | | | | There is just one thing that riders should never |
| be when they choose fun over safety. It was | | | | forget when they go out riding on their ATVs - and |
| reported that the machine's throttle malfunctioned - | | | | that is, you must always remember to wear your |
| sending both grandfather and grandson crashing into | | | | protective gears, especially your helmets. Never go |
| a parked sport utility vehicle. It is very dangerous to | | | | riding on an ATV without your helmet. Another |
| allow a toddler so young to sit on your lap while you | | | | important fact about riding an ATV is that you should |
| ride on an ATV because most ATVs are not built for | | | | never ride on one when you are under the influence |
| more than one rider. In addition to that point, it is | | | | of drugs or alcohol. When you are under the influence |
| important that you check your ATV first before you | | | | of such substances, your reflexes are usually a lot |
| ride on it so that you are confident that your | | | | slower than your normal self and you may not be |
| machine is in good working condition. | | | | able to "detect" danger as quickly. |
| Children under the age of 16 should never be an | | | | |