From nothing to overkill------ATV regs in WV
Aug 19, 2003 | 01:46 PM
#31
Trailblazer
Joined: Feb 2002
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From nothing to overkill------ATV regs in WV
Muddy if he has that much of a problem at home why don't he leave Wv. alone. That is what I care about.
Let him channel that energy he uses to hassel me into his own states problems. Which sounds like what the people in Wv are not wanting to get a hold in their state!
The title of this thread IS... From nothing to overkill------ATV regs in WV. Nothing to do with Michigan!
Let him channel that energy he uses to hassel me into his own states problems. Which sounds like what the people in Wv are not wanting to get a hold in their state!
The title of this thread IS... From nothing to overkill------ATV regs in WV. Nothing to do with Michigan!
Aug 19, 2003 | 06:34 PM
#32
Pro Rider
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,126
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From nothing to overkill------ATV regs in WV
Originally posted by: Sourmash57
"Let him channel that energy he uses to hassel me into his own states problems......."
"Let him channel that energy he uses to hassel me into his own states problems......."
I honestly would do anything I could to turn around your perception of being "hassled"..........yet it will never be at the price of opening up these topics for discussion. As much as we've disagreed over the years.......I will always look for any chance possible to put these issues behind us and work together.
It's really no different than the AMA/ATVA refusing to push "too hard" on the issue of mandatory helmet use........ or the Windrock ATV Club kicking one of their own members off its website because he (God forbid) "dared" suggest that double up riding without helmets was the wrong message to be sending to our children.
Who is going to be the first group who actually "sticks up" for any of these issues? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]
Aug 19, 2003 | 09:55 PM
#33
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,572
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From nothing to overkill------ATV regs in WV
I respect that the title of this Forum is not directly related to Michigan.But beleive me,when we are refering to ATV issue's,they can have a trickled down effect on most every State,sooner or later.
Those guys like BB,TWENTY CHARACTERS,and myself, are just venting yrs and yrs of frustrations.Please dont take our comments as a shot directed at you.We want the same thing you do,but are tired of the politics involved in trying to acheive them.
Those guys like BB,TWENTY CHARACTERS,and myself, are just venting yrs and yrs of frustrations.Please dont take our comments as a shot directed at you.We want the same thing you do,but are tired of the politics involved in trying to acheive them.
Aug 19, 2003 | 10:56 PM
#34
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From nothing to overkill------ATV regs in WV
I whole-heartedly agree that things need to be addressed and we need to get as many people involved TOGETHER as we can to combat those that perceive our sport as a bane of society.....
With that said, attitude is one of the prime vehicles of how you, your statements and your cause are perceived.....I know it's not "fair" but what in the real world is?.....
If we come off as hard-asses that are unwilling to compromise or discuss issues that affect EVERY SINGLE ATV'er out there in some manner or other then we have already lost the battle and the war.....without the other side even firing a shot!!!
If we come across as pretentious, holier-than-thou drum beaters then we may as well not even start the war wagons up because no one will give you the time of day much less take notice of your cause!!
If we jump to conclusions about who's doing what where then we are only undermining ANY efforts that may be underway. I'm not saying don't voice your opinions or thoughts or the progress of any actions but somethings work better without the world knowing it, especially in politics.
I don't know who's done what to whom around here or other boards and don't really care....it's this in-fighting that weakens the entire community, all to the benefit of those who would rather see the trails grown over with weeds and the industry die a quick death.
If the people that are supposed to be representing US aren't doing what they should then don't go bashing about on those who aren't the representatives----"BASH" ON THE REPRESENTATIVES!!! Start a grassroots movement against those people, start a campaign of your own to start a new group.....but most of all we have to remember, if we come off as asses and loudmouths then anyone in a position to help will turn a deaf ear on the effort or become defensive altogether possibly helping a fence-stradler decide which side they want to be on.
There's my $.02.......now I'm broke again!! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
With that said, attitude is one of the prime vehicles of how you, your statements and your cause are perceived.....I know it's not "fair" but what in the real world is?.....
If we come off as hard-asses that are unwilling to compromise or discuss issues that affect EVERY SINGLE ATV'er out there in some manner or other then we have already lost the battle and the war.....without the other side even firing a shot!!!
If we come across as pretentious, holier-than-thou drum beaters then we may as well not even start the war wagons up because no one will give you the time of day much less take notice of your cause!!
If we jump to conclusions about who's doing what where then we are only undermining ANY efforts that may be underway. I'm not saying don't voice your opinions or thoughts or the progress of any actions but somethings work better without the world knowing it, especially in politics.
I don't know who's done what to whom around here or other boards and don't really care....it's this in-fighting that weakens the entire community, all to the benefit of those who would rather see the trails grown over with weeds and the industry die a quick death.
If the people that are supposed to be representing US aren't doing what they should then don't go bashing about on those who aren't the representatives----"BASH" ON THE REPRESENTATIVES!!! Start a grassroots movement against those people, start a campaign of your own to start a new group.....but most of all we have to remember, if we come off as asses and loudmouths then anyone in a position to help will turn a deaf ear on the effort or become defensive altogether possibly helping a fence-stradler decide which side they want to be on.
There's my $.02.......now I'm broke again!! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
Aug 21, 2003 | 09:28 AM
#36
Pro Rider
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,126
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From nothing to overkill------ATV regs in WV
Originally posted by: RookWV
"I whole-heartedly agree that things need to be addressed and we need to get as many people involved TOGETHER as we can to combat those that perceive our sport as a bane of society..... With that said, attitude is one of the prime vehicles of how you, your statements and your cause are perceived.....
..... If we come off as hard-asses that are unwilling to compromise or discuss issues that affect EVERY SINGLE ATV'er out there in some manner or other then we have already lost the battle and the war....."
I couldn't disagree with this statement any more. Plain and simple....... it is COMPROMISE which is killing our sport on issues which effect EVERY SINGLE ATV'er OUT THERE!.
Consider the following:
#1) It is COMPROMISE which is allowing our largest single political action group to IGNORE the helmet issue. When you collect several thousand signatures on a petition which you plan on portraying to the CPSC (our government) as the heartfelt sympathies of the general riding public.......... and it contains ABSOLUTELY NOTHING in regards to legislating a requirement for the use of a brain bucket (kids OR adults).......does anybody believe that COMPROMISE has done us some hugwe favor here?
#2) When the Windrock ATV Club kicks somebody off their website for discussing the fact that COMPROMISING their rules for riding double and helmetless; just to please some dumba$$ people who believe it's "O.K." to model this behavior for their children............what has COMPROMISE done for a club who apparently just HAS to have that extra "$10"/per rider.............. when compared with those of us who would just as soon see these people labeled as UNFIT parents?
#3) What has the word COMPROMISE done for helping build one of the finest trails systems that this country has ever seen, in the H/M system?
Should the landowners have stopped the project......that is, in order to make certain that some riding club had the chance to "someday" publicly declare what they were all pissed off about in regards to its construction?
Should they have set aside "locals only" riding areas where W.V. riders could have avoided paying for "anything" and could have done whatever in the hell they wanted to.....without any "rules"?
No, the word COMPROMISE is exactly what is killing our sport.
We've got kids and parents out there who somehow think it is "culturally correct" to continually PASS DOWN their assinine behavior to the next generation of riders in their area........and why are they getting away with it?.........because there are groups and clubs out there who are DEMANDING that we all should somehow COMPROMISE and "accept" their backwoods behavior.
"...If we come across as pretentious, holier-than-thou drum beaters then.........."
Let me tell you something...........I AM "holier" than any dumbass atver who has a car seat welded to his rear rack and the whole family on board........I AM "holier" than some cheap-*** bastard who doesn't figure he has to "pay" to "play"..........I AM "holier" than any parent who teaches their kids and any kid around them that this is the proper way to behave...........AND I'M DARN PROUD OF IT!!!
Why are these groups who wish to compromise issues like "trespassing" (West Virginia) and "safety" (Windrock) somehow allowed to continually call themselves "victims"?...........have we seen this before with other groups who consider themselves minorities?
"...If we jump to conclusions about who's doing what where then we are only........"
The problem here is that these people have been asked "point blank" what they are all about and they have refuses to tell us............
"...but somethings work better without the world knowing it, especially in politics........."
Let me give you some advice, people..........when somebody starts moving around in the political arena and are flat out REFUSING to tell you what they are up to?...........you're better off listening to somebody who just might tell you an outright "lie"(at least you've got it "on record").
"...it's this in-fighting that weakens the entire community............."
This statement would be true if there was an actual "community" in the first place..............I don't consider anybody who acts in the manner described in this post or earlier in this thread as part of the atving "community".
In fact, I think it is best THAT WE WEED THESE PEOPLE "OUT" before their actions and (evidently "secret") philosophies are associated with the general atving public's desire to be portrayed as something more than irresponsible. The faster we dissassociate ourselves from those who can't even conduct themselves properly in public?............the less we will suffer the consequences of their ill-advised actions. COMPROMISING with these people HAS GOT US INTO THIS MESS IN THE FiRST PLACE.
Why do you think that everywhere I go up here in Michigan; I see these ZERO TOLERANCE billboards in regards to drinking and sledding?
BECAUSE SO MANY SLEDDERS HAVE BEEN KILLED OVER ALL THESE YEARS AS A DIRECT RESULT OF SLED CLUBS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES/LAW ENFORCEMENT "COMPROMISING" ON THE DRINKING ISSUE!!!
" If the people that are supposed to be representing US aren't doing what they should then don't go bashing about on those who aren't the representatives----"BASH" ON THE REPRESENTATIVES!!! Start a grassroots movement against those people............."
What if the largest atv association in America can't even "go public" with a helmet-use campaign? Do you want to "go against" them or embarras them to the point where they are ASHAMED that they ever tried to run an association like this without HELMETS as one of their primary issues? Or would you like some environmentalist group to use this issue as a shining example of why we all shouldn't be perceived AS BEING SERIOUS about safety?
".....if we come off as asses and loudmouths then anyone in a position to help will turn a deaf ear on the effort or become defensive altogether possibly helping a fence-stradler decide which side they want to be on.........."
I WANT to be an *** and loudmouth when it comes to safety issues..........I WANT someone who is a "fence straddler" on safety issues to be FORCED OFF that fence and falling down on one side or the other...............its just that I am more willing to "catch" the family that decides to trust the arguments of common sense; while the folks who fall on the other side?................let their exclusion from any effort to move forward be heralded as the day we all finally strapped a set on and moved forward with our sport.
"I whole-heartedly agree that things need to be addressed and we need to get as many people involved TOGETHER as we can to combat those that perceive our sport as a bane of society..... With that said, attitude is one of the prime vehicles of how you, your statements and your cause are perceived.....
..... If we come off as hard-asses that are unwilling to compromise or discuss issues that affect EVERY SINGLE ATV'er out there in some manner or other then we have already lost the battle and the war....."
I couldn't disagree with this statement any more. Plain and simple....... it is COMPROMISE which is killing our sport on issues which effect EVERY SINGLE ATV'er OUT THERE!.
Consider the following:
#1) It is COMPROMISE which is allowing our largest single political action group to IGNORE the helmet issue. When you collect several thousand signatures on a petition which you plan on portraying to the CPSC (our government) as the heartfelt sympathies of the general riding public.......... and it contains ABSOLUTELY NOTHING in regards to legislating a requirement for the use of a brain bucket (kids OR adults).......does anybody believe that COMPROMISE has done us some hugwe favor here?
#2) When the Windrock ATV Club kicks somebody off their website for discussing the fact that COMPROMISING their rules for riding double and helmetless; just to please some dumba$$ people who believe it's "O.K." to model this behavior for their children............what has COMPROMISE done for a club who apparently just HAS to have that extra "$10"/per rider.............. when compared with those of us who would just as soon see these people labeled as UNFIT parents?
#3) What has the word COMPROMISE done for helping build one of the finest trails systems that this country has ever seen, in the H/M system?
Should the landowners have stopped the project......that is, in order to make certain that some riding club had the chance to "someday" publicly declare what they were all pissed off about in regards to its construction?
Should they have set aside "locals only" riding areas where W.V. riders could have avoided paying for "anything" and could have done whatever in the hell they wanted to.....without any "rules"?
No, the word COMPROMISE is exactly what is killing our sport.
We've got kids and parents out there who somehow think it is "culturally correct" to continually PASS DOWN their assinine behavior to the next generation of riders in their area........and why are they getting away with it?.........because there are groups and clubs out there who are DEMANDING that we all should somehow COMPROMISE and "accept" their backwoods behavior.
"...If we come across as pretentious, holier-than-thou drum beaters then.........."
Let me tell you something...........I AM "holier" than any dumbass atver who has a car seat welded to his rear rack and the whole family on board........I AM "holier" than some cheap-*** bastard who doesn't figure he has to "pay" to "play"..........I AM "holier" than any parent who teaches their kids and any kid around them that this is the proper way to behave...........AND I'M DARN PROUD OF IT!!!
Why are these groups who wish to compromise issues like "trespassing" (West Virginia) and "safety" (Windrock) somehow allowed to continually call themselves "victims"?...........have we seen this before with other groups who consider themselves minorities?
"...If we jump to conclusions about who's doing what where then we are only........"
The problem here is that these people have been asked "point blank" what they are all about and they have refuses to tell us............
"...but somethings work better without the world knowing it, especially in politics........."
Let me give you some advice, people..........when somebody starts moving around in the political arena and are flat out REFUSING to tell you what they are up to?...........you're better off listening to somebody who just might tell you an outright "lie"(at least you've got it "on record").
"...it's this in-fighting that weakens the entire community............."
This statement would be true if there was an actual "community" in the first place..............I don't consider anybody who acts in the manner described in this post or earlier in this thread as part of the atving "community".
In fact, I think it is best THAT WE WEED THESE PEOPLE "OUT" before their actions and (evidently "secret") philosophies are associated with the general atving public's desire to be portrayed as something more than irresponsible. The faster we dissassociate ourselves from those who can't even conduct themselves properly in public?............the less we will suffer the consequences of their ill-advised actions. COMPROMISING with these people HAS GOT US INTO THIS MESS IN THE FiRST PLACE.
Why do you think that everywhere I go up here in Michigan; I see these ZERO TOLERANCE billboards in regards to drinking and sledding?
BECAUSE SO MANY SLEDDERS HAVE BEEN KILLED OVER ALL THESE YEARS AS A DIRECT RESULT OF SLED CLUBS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES/LAW ENFORCEMENT "COMPROMISING" ON THE DRINKING ISSUE!!!
" If the people that are supposed to be representing US aren't doing what they should then don't go bashing about on those who aren't the representatives----"BASH" ON THE REPRESENTATIVES!!! Start a grassroots movement against those people............."
What if the largest atv association in America can't even "go public" with a helmet-use campaign? Do you want to "go against" them or embarras them to the point where they are ASHAMED that they ever tried to run an association like this without HELMETS as one of their primary issues? Or would you like some environmentalist group to use this issue as a shining example of why we all shouldn't be perceived AS BEING SERIOUS about safety?
".....if we come off as asses and loudmouths then anyone in a position to help will turn a deaf ear on the effort or become defensive altogether possibly helping a fence-stradler decide which side they want to be on.........."
I WANT to be an *** and loudmouth when it comes to safety issues..........I WANT someone who is a "fence straddler" on safety issues to be FORCED OFF that fence and falling down on one side or the other...............its just that I am more willing to "catch" the family that decides to trust the arguments of common sense; while the folks who fall on the other side?................let their exclusion from any effort to move forward be heralded as the day we all finally strapped a set on and moved forward with our sport.
With that said, I think that the time for ALL of our leaders to come out on one side or the other on the issues that face us is LONG past due......I have never seen an issue we faced yet that has been proven to be "necessarily" shrouded in secrecy for anything but the benefit of those leaders themselves and not the constituency.
Stand up for what you believe in......... and there isn't a group out there who can defeat you on principle or facts.
[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
Aug 21, 2003 | 10:19 AM
#37
Trailblazer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From nothing to overkill------ATV regs in WV
[b]From BB: I WANT to be an *** and loudmouth
My gawd! You have your wish!!
P.S.This ain't taken out of contex anymore than you have quoted people in the past. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]
My gawd! You have your wish!!
P.S.This ain't taken out of contex anymore than you have quoted people in the past. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]
Aug 21, 2003 | 04:05 PM
#38
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 0
From nothing to overkill------ATV regs in WV
Its come the time now that we are all ''past due''on issue's regarding our sport and we better open up our mouths.
Silence in Michigan has got us very little CHANGE in our ORV laws in 15 yrs or more.
Did you know that in Michigan,its ok for a youth to operate his 2 wheeled off road cycle[ORV] at ANY age,just as long as he has a valid ORV safety certificate and is under visual supervision of an adult while operating it-----BUT----Its NOT legal to operate a 4 wheeled ATV [50cc up to 500cc]under the age of 10 unless you are doing farm related work operations?----BUT------it would be completely legal for those under 10ys old to operate a 4 wheeler with an engine size OVER 500cc,because its not classified as an ATV but an ORV when the engine is larger than 500cc?
I've asked leaders POLITELY for over 3yrs now to have this ORV and ATV thing looked at.I would have achomplished the same by asking my eye doctor to ''look'' at this law,because,at least he would have and I would'nt have felt so bad!
Yah,
no more ''mister nice guy''here either!
Silence in Michigan has got us very little CHANGE in our ORV laws in 15 yrs or more.
Did you know that in Michigan,its ok for a youth to operate his 2 wheeled off road cycle[ORV] at ANY age,just as long as he has a valid ORV safety certificate and is under visual supervision of an adult while operating it-----BUT----Its NOT legal to operate a 4 wheeled ATV [50cc up to 500cc]under the age of 10 unless you are doing farm related work operations?----BUT------it would be completely legal for those under 10ys old to operate a 4 wheeler with an engine size OVER 500cc,because its not classified as an ATV but an ORV when the engine is larger than 500cc?
I've asked leaders POLITELY for over 3yrs now to have this ORV and ATV thing looked at.I would have achomplished the same by asking my eye doctor to ''look'' at this law,because,at least he would have and I would'nt have felt so bad!
Yah,
no more ''mister nice guy''here either!
Aug 21, 2003 | 09:40 PM
#39
Thread Starter
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Pro Rider
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 808
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From nothing to overkill------ATV regs in WV
I was NOT speaking of compromising the values we need present to those who make the rules! I was referring to the constant bickering amongst ATV'ers over their "rights" (which aren't rights at all, they are privledges---very shaky privledges).
Maybe I'm naive about most of it since I just got into to riding ATV's but I find it hard to believe that they are that many riders upset with our representatives and are not voicing their concerns over the leadership----I will say that I hear VERY little coming out of their mouths concerning issues confronting the sport.....I am aware of hunting and land issues since I have done that for much longer.....and the lessons learned through that can easily be applied to our sport.
If we, the riders, can set aside petty differences and put together a plan of action with the support of ATV'ers and present it to "management" then there shouldn't be any question about what needs to be done. If "management" doesn't take heed of OUR voice then stop sending in the money for membership......and start over with fresh blood.
I'd love to see legislation to enhance safety but I don't want it to go the route being proposed here......which I don't understand why no one from the ATVA or other representative group gave a sentence worth of rebuttal or input.
Maybe we should all just say "To Hell with it" and turn over our keys to environmental whackos!
Maybe we should all knock the chips off our shoulders, take a deep breath and EXPLAIN OURSELVES AND LISTEN TO THOSE EXPLANATIONS
Maybe we should all wake up and smell the oil of the illegal 3-wheelers and get off our butts and get our hands dirty
Maybe we should all get off the soapbox and help others understand why we love to do what we do
Now for my own personal experience: I ride with some people who don't wear helmets for whatever reason...I don't preach to them about being safe because they are grown men BUT I do give example after example of just how good an idea it is to wear a helmet....as well as other protective gear....I just bought a chest protector that I'm sure I'll catch all kinds of grief over but I don't care because I'm doing what I can to make myself safe.....
I sure do wish the others would do the same and I keep thowing out reasons and ideas about why they should but I can't make them......would they not ride if there was a helmet law? No, I'm sure they wouldn't think twice about having to wear one.....
Now the above may make me part of the problem (and I'll admit that attitude is part of the problem) but I also want to think that if it doesn't encourage the guys I'm riding with to wear the proper gear then it will at least make an impression on their children or anyone else that I may happen across out on the trail. That still may make me part of the problem but at least I'm honest about it.
I'd rather be laughed at than have to learn to walk and talk again.
****edited for typos****
Maybe I'm naive about most of it since I just got into to riding ATV's but I find it hard to believe that they are that many riders upset with our representatives and are not voicing their concerns over the leadership----I will say that I hear VERY little coming out of their mouths concerning issues confronting the sport.....I am aware of hunting and land issues since I have done that for much longer.....and the lessons learned through that can easily be applied to our sport.
If we, the riders, can set aside petty differences and put together a plan of action with the support of ATV'ers and present it to "management" then there shouldn't be any question about what needs to be done. If "management" doesn't take heed of OUR voice then stop sending in the money for membership......and start over with fresh blood.
I'd love to see legislation to enhance safety but I don't want it to go the route being proposed here......which I don't understand why no one from the ATVA or other representative group gave a sentence worth of rebuttal or input.
Maybe we should all just say "To Hell with it" and turn over our keys to environmental whackos!
Maybe we should all knock the chips off our shoulders, take a deep breath and EXPLAIN OURSELVES AND LISTEN TO THOSE EXPLANATIONS
Maybe we should all wake up and smell the oil of the illegal 3-wheelers and get off our butts and get our hands dirty
Maybe we should all get off the soapbox and help others understand why we love to do what we do
Now for my own personal experience: I ride with some people who don't wear helmets for whatever reason...I don't preach to them about being safe because they are grown men BUT I do give example after example of just how good an idea it is to wear a helmet....as well as other protective gear....I just bought a chest protector that I'm sure I'll catch all kinds of grief over but I don't care because I'm doing what I can to make myself safe.....
I sure do wish the others would do the same and I keep thowing out reasons and ideas about why they should but I can't make them......would they not ride if there was a helmet law? No, I'm sure they wouldn't think twice about having to wear one.....
Now the above may make me part of the problem (and I'll admit that attitude is part of the problem) but I also want to think that if it doesn't encourage the guys I'm riding with to wear the proper gear then it will at least make an impression on their children or anyone else that I may happen across out on the trail. That still may make me part of the problem but at least I'm honest about it.
I'd rather be laughed at than have to learn to walk and talk again.
****edited for typos****
Aug 22, 2003 | 12:24 AM
#40
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From nothing to overkill------ATV regs in WV
Hi,ya'all.This from today.They're not wasting time, but are using the same old tactic - every anti (your favorite motorized sport here) media release goes just like this one.They're easy to refute, as I mentioned earlier.Come on ya'all, let's not waste time and start up your visits, calls, e-mails, letters, etc.
Voluntary rules don't
reduce ATV deaths, study says
By The Associated Press
Thursday August 21, 2003; 10:30 AM
WASHINGTON -- Voluntary safety steps taken by manufacturers of all-terrain vehicles have failed to curb injuries among riders, particularly children, a coalition of doctors and advocacy groups said.
Injuries on the largest ATVs increased sixfold -- from fewer than 4,000 to more than 24,000 -- between 1997 and 2001, the groups said.
The number of the largest ATVs, those with engines over 400 cubic centimeters, in use during that period increased by less than half as much, according to the report released Wednesday.
The analysis by the Consumer Federation of America and the Natural Trails and Waters Coalition found drivers from every age group suffered more injuries during the five-year period. For children ages 12 to 15, injuries were up nearly 76 percent.
Dr. Rebeccah Brown, assistant director of trauma services at Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, said she's seen too many children with broken bones, paralysis or comas from ATV accidents.
"It's truly heart-wrenching," she said.
The study, which used data compiled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, found that at least 97 percent of children under 16 who were hurt by ATVs in 2001 were riding vehicles larger than recommended for their age.
The advocacy groups are calling for the federal government to ban the sale of adult-sized all-terrain vehicles that would be used by children under 16. Fines would be imposed on dealers who violate the ban.
The groups also want states to pass laws setting minimum age requirements and mandating protective gear such as helmets.
Tim Buche, president of the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, based in Irvine, Calif., said a federal ban will not help because it won't have any teeth. "States have the police power to enforce it. The federal government does not," he said.
Buche, who represents the major ATV manufacturers, said the industry backs legislation in the states that would require mandatory training and helmets and emphasize the responsibility of parents to monitor the use of ATVs.
He also defended industry actions aimed at preventing injuries and deaths to young riders. Buche said warning labels are placed prominently on ATVs, and cash incentives are offered to customers to take safety training courses
Voluntary rules don't
reduce ATV deaths, study says
By The Associated Press
Thursday August 21, 2003; 10:30 AM
WASHINGTON -- Voluntary safety steps taken by manufacturers of all-terrain vehicles have failed to curb injuries among riders, particularly children, a coalition of doctors and advocacy groups said.
Injuries on the largest ATVs increased sixfold -- from fewer than 4,000 to more than 24,000 -- between 1997 and 2001, the groups said.
The number of the largest ATVs, those with engines over 400 cubic centimeters, in use during that period increased by less than half as much, according to the report released Wednesday.
The analysis by the Consumer Federation of America and the Natural Trails and Waters Coalition found drivers from every age group suffered more injuries during the five-year period. For children ages 12 to 15, injuries were up nearly 76 percent.
Dr. Rebeccah Brown, assistant director of trauma services at Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, said she's seen too many children with broken bones, paralysis or comas from ATV accidents.
"It's truly heart-wrenching," she said.
The study, which used data compiled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, found that at least 97 percent of children under 16 who were hurt by ATVs in 2001 were riding vehicles larger than recommended for their age.
The advocacy groups are calling for the federal government to ban the sale of adult-sized all-terrain vehicles that would be used by children under 16. Fines would be imposed on dealers who violate the ban.
The groups also want states to pass laws setting minimum age requirements and mandating protective gear such as helmets.
Tim Buche, president of the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, based in Irvine, Calif., said a federal ban will not help because it won't have any teeth. "States have the police power to enforce it. The federal government does not," he said.
Buche, who represents the major ATV manufacturers, said the industry backs legislation in the states that would require mandatory training and helmets and emphasize the responsibility of parents to monitor the use of ATVs.
He also defended industry actions aimed at preventing injuries and deaths to young riders. Buche said warning labels are placed prominently on ATVs, and cash incentives are offered to customers to take safety training courses