Wisconsin just passed a law that says that if your born after 01-01-1988 you can NOT operate an ATV unless you have a Safety certificate either from Wisconsin or any STATE recognized safety class(not manufacture class). There is an exception to this: If you are born after 01-01-1988 you can still operate a 90 cc or less machine on a Wisconsin DNR approved TRAIL(not route) with your parents accompanying you (not on same machine).

 

Whats your point?

 

Why is there an age limit?

 

No point just giving a heads up to those who are not from WI

 

Theres also a new trail sticker/permit and if you come from a state that does not require atv registration - you have to register in Wisconsin.

 

Well, the unsupervised youth riding oversized quads represents about 1/3 of the serious injury and fatality accidents which are up about 200% over the last 5 years based on estimates of incidents per 1000 riders. Its a pretty complex formula that sampled hospital intake systems continue to validate.
The CPSC guidelines are what is used to determine the oversize issue - most people feel those cc restrictions are outdated but until the CPSC changes them - most law makers are going to go with the government and professional organization recommendations - which transforms into state laws.

A good article in reference to this is at http://www.off-road.com/atv/kidskorner/youthatvs.htm

 

I guess my question is why do they stop at requiring 16 and under to have a safety certificate? If they are involved with only 1/3 of the casualties what about the other 2/3 of riders. Of course undoubtably having proper training is basic to operating an atv . But are there statistics comparing injuries/deaths to riders who have safety certificates to those who dont?

 

The only statistic I know of is from my own personal expereince. Of the last two incidents one was a serious injury and other a fatality, both had recently received safety certificates.

Both were under 16
Both were on quads over 90cc
Both were unsupervised

Both were an accident looking for a place to happen before they went through the certification program.

I beleive everyone agrees that once you tell someone the rules, train them, and educate them. You've done just about all you can do. Its not going to stop the wild ones. They do it to themselves.

On the other hand, not providing the training, proper equipment and supervision is what has caused "big-brother" to make the laws what they are today.

Yes they suck. It wasn't always like this. The lawmakers didn't create the situation. They are just responding to it.

The obvious is to obvious in all of this. Its not the 2/3rds of adults getting hurt that the government is worried about. If it were - snowmobiles would have been banned from the face of the earth. No, its concerned people trying to prevent kids from getting hurt from parents who are not informed or don't care.

The video of 8 year olds riding 500cc machines whilst they stand on the seats is a to common a commercial being played during congressional sessions.

 

Well said. The most shocking thing I think ive ever seen was a couple 9 year olds crossing the road in front of me . They were riding a scrambler 400 wearing nothing but shorts. I guess you dont need boots if you cant touch the footpegs.

 

Actually, I think Wisconsin has a pretty forward thinking set of laws that are actually less restrictive than many other states. Especially where the under 16 crowd comes in.. In some states, they cannot operate one at all.. anywhere until they are 12 or in extreme cases 16.

Why they chose 16 as the magic age is not known, but a good guess would be that it has to do with it being the driving age I reckon... you get caught in violation of ATV laws, and I suspect you lose your drivers license too. You have to love motivation like that. It will at least make you think twice...

I've already discussed the Wisconsin registration/sticker situation on another thread.