That is funny!!

on the serious side...You really gotta go get yourself a helmet. Not only for your own well being but to show the young kids that it is a must.

Please protect your empty "NOGGIN".

 

Does anyone have a translator I can borrow?

I never blamed the ATV industry for anything. I challanged them to build a teen size quad that meets the legal limitations. (and I'm 225 and have ridden the 90 in places some of you wouldn't go)

No - the disporportionate injury rate is based on the number of accidents per number of ATV's nationally - not just in Minnesota. That is the CPSC agenda. If sales increase 50 percent one would expect a 50 percent increase in accidents. But this is not the case - its more like 100% increase. Thats whats drawing the CPSC's attention.

The example of Snowmobile to ATV accident rate was obtained from the Minnesota DNR made on KARE11 TV aired this last Sunday. It is only one if the examples that points to un-supervised use of motorsports equipment. Snowmobiles are not popular with smaller operators as it takes a good effort to horse one backwards or un-stick a stuck sled. Generally speaking, unaccompanied by a adult and under age 15 operators are rare. Therego the lower accident rates even with the same number of machines in use. Maybe a example that requres more explaining then what I should attempt here.

I think we agree on the parental responsibility but we may dissagree on quad size. But I beleive my posting is in line with the below statements from Russ Ehnes sighting the use of adult-sized quads being used by children.

The National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC), met with the federal Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) panel June 5 for a hearing investigating ATV safety issues.

NOHVCC Executive Director Russ Ehnes spoke at the hearing and reported, "What the commission saw was that the overwhelming majority ATV-related injury that occurs in this country is because the rider was breaking at least one of the major safety rules set forth by the manufacturers of the vehicles. We saw numerous statistics regarding riders not wearing a helmet, riding double, riding on paved roads with automobile traffic, and alcohol use. As far as children being hurt, it was found that it was almost entirely occurring with their use of adult-sized ATVs rather than the smaller machines built for youth-sized riders."

Prior to the hearing, the commission stated that it was "concerned about the dramatic increase in ATV-related injuries and the continued increase in ATV-related deaths,

Nationally, the Commission has reports of 5,239 people who died on ATV's during period between 1982 and 2002

The Consumer Federation of America and other groups petitioned the Commission in September 2002 to ban adult-size, four-wheel ATVs sold for the use of children under the age of 16.

In response to the numerious postings that encourage ATV's for youth that do not meet the age guidelines I have tried to provide factual information so that we hear all sides of the issue allowing for informed decisions to be made. There is always the exceptional performer that makes one want to consider a larger or faster machine - but do it legally. My youngest daughter flys better than most private pilots - but she has to wait to turn 16 for her first solo flight. I have no fatality reports of children dying from severe "want".

As a DNR ATV Safety Instructor my job is to test youth to see if they meet the knowledge, skill and ability requirements so that they can ride larger than 90 cc quads once they turn 12 years old. We try to get them started off right and safely. Telling anyone to dissregard the laws and requlations would make us hipocrates and undermine respect for what it is we are trying to accomplish - safe legal youth operation of ATV's that fit them.</FONT>

 

I can't believe I am saying this but everything you just posted I agree with! One thing that struck me though, was the 5,239 of people who have died, and that was in 20 years!! Although any loss of life it tragic, that number compared to other things in TINY!
I also want to know, and I have not been able to find this info but what is the number of those without proper safety gear? Also, how many were adults and how many children?

Nobody has disagreed with you about safety issues or children riding adult quads, we just don't want to have our sport legislated away!
Maybe instead of banning children on quads we should have manditory helmet laws for quads,maybe chest protectors, gloves, and goggles should be required? That will not happen because it is not the agenda of the groups pushing these issues to make kids safer it is to BAN ALL OF THEM!!!!

Chris

 

I agree with you part of the way.. but... I'd like to point out that the Raptor 80 is a kid sized machine... and according to the guidelines, my 9 year old, who is over 5 ft tall, and weighs in at over a hundred pounds can't ride it and meet their requirements. Heck, he is too big for it now...by the time he gets to 12, he will be larger than his 28 year old sister. A 50cc machine is just too underpowered to allow him to safely ride around on anything other than a flat surface. Put him on a trail with hills or in dunes etc, and he stands a good chance of getting in way over his head. At least with the 80, it has enough power to pull his weight.. but even it struggles in some situations.

The point that really frosted my cookies over this deal, is the safety council's refusal to allow him to attend the safety course.. and I am supposed to put him on a totally underpowered machine just to meet their requirements. That WOULD put him in a dangerous situation, and as a caring parent, I refuse to do that.

Conversly, I don't advocate letting him ride a full sized quad either... I don't feel he is mentally equiped to make the kind of decisions that come with the increased speed etc. He is just too young for it... All kids his age, regardless of size are TOO YOUNG for bigger machines.

What's a person to do?

 

Good post. I agree 100%.
Gary

 

A little harsh, but certainly true! Helmets should be wore by all atvers. Should they be mandatory? I think not....the government is already in my pocket, they can stay out of my business. The parents on the CBS special are clearly MORONS. A 10 year old should not have been at home unattended....let alone riding an atv. It's a recipe for disaster and the parents should be held responsible. Thats the problem with todays society.....whatever happens is someone elses fault. No-one wants too be accountable for their own actions.
Gary

 

There is another segment tonight. They are supposed to show dealers selling oversized quads to parents for their younger kids and more stupid parents letting kids do even more stupid things.

This CBS show is a real kick in the ***** to the sport!!!

CBS needs to interview and run a segment on the responsible parents that supervise and provide the proper training to ensure the kids safety.

 

I disagree. A teenager can handle an adult quad. Perfect size for a blaster.

All the laws and safety equipment in the world won't prevent chilldren from making bad decisions. Close supervision by a responsible adult is the only way to reduce accidents. No parent or guardian would let a child attempt something that the parent is not 100% sure they can handle. We love our kids too much to risk it. BUT, we can only stop them if we are present. Problem is that bad parents turn their kids loose and have no idea the risks they are taking.

 

It would seem to me the manufacturers need to increase the physical size of smaller ATVs somewhat. Not a big quad but just a super sized mini with a little bit extra power but in the same motor. That way everyone is happy, bigger kids will not be to big for the quad anymore. There would be enough power to not get into trouble from not having enough power. The weight of the quad can be kept down very easy. The manufacturers should build these quads.


I tried to find 60 minutes last night but I couldn't see it on my dish, I'm going to look for it tonight too.

 

When I was a kid,,,,,i was thrown of my 12' boat as it was going about 25mph. (my fault)

Gosh,,,I should have sued the manufacturer,,,,,darn unsafe boats!!!!