| When ATV became a major competitor in | | | | three wheels with the four wheels ATV. And the |
| recreational and utility vehicle in 1984, it also escalated | | | | CPSC had a number of flaws; it only covers the |
| the growing concerns of the public. ATV was | | | | manufacturers present at the forging of the decree. |
| becoming a controversial vehicle. There was an | | | | New manufacturers who entered the market after |
| estimated 60,000 injuries in 1986, all ATV related due | | | | the forging of Final Consent Decree are not covered |
| to improper riding behavior and overly excessive thrill | | | | by the plans so to speak and that gave them a |
| riding. In 1988, the Consumer Products Safety | | | | considerable leeway towards ATV manufacturing. |
| Commission (CPSC) entered into an unprecedented | | | | Also, overseas manufacturers are completely exempt |
| 10-year agreement with American ATV | | | | of this decree. |
| manufacturers called the Final Consent Decree. The | | | | There have been decrees attending to the nature of |
| agreement funded $100 million to expand existing | | | | the machines themselves. One such decree is the |
| safety programs like free training incentives to ATV | | | | balance of the machine with regards to the riders |
| owners. But the biggest move of the Final Consent | | | | age. Riders under the age of 16 are strictly prohibited |
| Decree was the production shift from three wheeled | | | | from riding ATVs with 90cc engines. Various states |
| ATVs to four wheeled ATVs. Additionally, | | | | have also enacted legislations governing ATV usage |
| manufacturers repurchased any unsold three wheel | | | | within their boundaries, like for instance the riders age |
| models and trade in three wheeled models with the | | | | and the engine displacements should concede with |
| four wheel ATVs. | | | | the decrees. |
| In spite of that move, injuries and deaths still occur | | | | Some advocates, though, argue that a child starting |
| regularly. On 2004 alone, statistics released by the | | | | to ride ATVs at younger age improves ATV safety. |
| CPSC estimated 136,000 injuries associated with | | | | They had stated that this child would develop |
| ATVs are recorded on American hospitals, doubling | | | | necessary expertise as he grows older instead of |
| the numbers of accidents the last decade. The | | | | waiting until he is sixteen and handling larger ATVs. In |
| expiration of the decree didnt help with the ATV | | | | effect, CPSC approved the usage of smaller ATVs |
| safety practices, though it effectively replaced the | | | | with 50cc to be used by youngsters as early as 6. |