Some Important Issues Regarding ATV Safety

When ATV became a major competitor inthree wheels with the four wheels ATV. And the
recreational and utility vehicle in 1984, it also escalatedCPSC had a number of flaws; it only covers the
the growing concerns of the public. ATV wasmanufacturers present at the forging of the decree.
becoming a controversial vehicle. There was anNew manufacturers who entered the market after
estimated 60,000 injuries in 1986, all ATV related duethe forging of Final Consent Decree are not covered
to improper riding behavior and overly excessive thrillby the plans so to speak and that gave them a
riding. In 1988, the Consumer Products Safetyconsiderable leeway towards ATV manufacturing.
Commission (CPSC) entered into an unprecedentedAlso, overseas manufacturers are completely exempt
10-year agreement with American ATVof this decree.
manufacturers called the Final Consent Decree. TheThere have been decrees attending to the nature of
agreement funded $100 million to expand existingthe machines themselves. One such decree is the
safety programs like free training incentives to ATVbalance of the machine with regards to the riders
owners. But the biggest move of the Final Consentage. Riders under the age of 16 are strictly prohibited
Decree was the production shift from three wheeledfrom 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 wheelwithin their boundaries, like for instance the riders age
models and trade in three wheeled models with theand the engine displacements should concede with
four wheel ATVs.the decrees.
In spite of that move, injuries and deaths still occurSome advocates, though, argue that a child starting
regularly. On 2004 alone, statistics released by theto ride ATVs at younger age improves ATV safety.
CPSC estimated 136,000 injuries associated withThey had stated that this child would develop
ATVs are recorded on American hospitals, doublingnecessary expertise as he grows older instead of
the numbers of accidents the last decade. Thewaiting until he is sixteen and handling larger ATVs. In
expiration of the decree didnt help with the ATVeffect, CPSC approved the usage of smaller ATVs
safety practices, though it effectively replaced thewith 50cc to be used by youngsters as early as 6.