The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) riders to take it easy over this weekend. Their analysis suggest that this weekend has historically been one of the worst weekend for injuries and deaths. For the 4-day period surrounding the 2009 Memorial Day holiday, CPSC is aware of 27 fatalities, with two under the age of 16, averaging almost seven deaths a day.
Like the increase in teens going to the hospital for over drinking for this weekend, I have the same questions of why? Maybe it’s a lack of training, rusty skills , or just the start to the freedom that summer can give. What ever the reason, we need to make sure that we are aware of the issue and do our best to prevent more statistics.
For a safer weekend the CPSC suggests:
- Take a hands-on safety training course
- Always wear protective gear – especially a helmet – when riding ATVs
- Do not ride or drive a single-rider ATV with a passenger or ride as a passenger
- Do not drive ATVs on paved roads
- Do not permit children younger than 16 to drive or ride adult ATVs. Always choose an age-appropriate ATV for your child
