WASHINGTON — An estimated 740 people, a record, died in all-terrain vehicle accidents last year, the government said Thursday as it took a step toward oversight of the vehicles.
The estimated toll, which includes 470 documented cases, compares with an estimated 617 deaths in 2003, and estimates between 538 and 599 annual deaths in the previous three years, according to a report from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (search) Thursday.

Also, an all-time high of at least 136,100 people went to the hospital last year for injuries involving the four-wheel motorcycles that have a wide seat and low stand, and a third of those hurt were younger than 16.

In 2003, there were at least 125,500 injuries.

"We have a serious national epidemic in this country of people getting killed and injured in very large numbers when they ride ATVS," said Rachel Weintraub, director of product safety at the Consumer Federation of America (search).

The group is pushing for ATV regulation, especially for child use of the adult-sized vehicles.

The commission said it is considering putting in place federal rules for ATVs and is taking public comment for 60 days.

 

My gosh! Doesn't the GOV have more things to worry about then what the public does for recreation? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif[/img]

 

You can send Ms. Weintraub your thoughts on this at rweintraub@cpsc.gov [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

You take a huge risk every time you get out of bed in the morning. There are absolutely risks in riding or driving or flying in anything that moves faster than you can walk. If you are of age (17-18) you are responsible for your actions. If you are underage your parents are guardians should make sure that you have proper training or equipment, I don't think the government has any business trying to lawyer up against the manufacturers. There are several other ways to get injured that probably have similiar numbers. Just sit wrapped in bubble wrap all day long, and your will be fine.

 

what really chaffs my *** about this is they neglected to mention the skyrocketing sales in proportion to the increase of accidents/fatalities. Safety training may be a huge factor in this as well. I said "may be" since no matter how much we educate some people, they will not change their riding habits. How many of these kids under the age of 16 that made up 30% of the fatalities had any form of accredited safety training?

Be sure in your replies that you keep your comments civil, diplomatic, factual, and to the point. Anything but only helps "their" cause and makes the rest of us look bad.

 

I wonder where they get this "estimated" versus documented deaths. They need to give hard numbers. Until you have hard numbers, you could be pulling them out of your @ss.

The increase of 2004 over 2003 was 20%. That's pretty substantial. Was there an increase of 20% the number of machines and/or riders year over year?

It would be interesting to see the stats on a state by state basis as well.

How do these stats compare to other modes of transportation? Bicycles, Motorcycles, Scooters, Skateboards, Rollerskates/Rollerblades and autos.

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This year...My wife and daughter both went to the ER for Tripping While WALKING, and got a sprain.....no one in the family got hurt while riding ATV's....So I think they need regulations on WALKING!!!!!!.............I think you get my point...[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I think you're on to something there. I seen people that couldn't walk, let alone operate any type of motorized vehicle.