Midday Business Report: ATV rules to change

By PAUL WENSKE

The Kansas City Star


The government’s top regulator of consumer product safety said it will issue new rules pertaining to sales and marketing of popular all-terrain vehicles.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission officials said they are beginning the first step by inviting ideas and comments from the public, consumer groups and industry representatives.

The proposal for new ATV safety rules comes in the wake of a report by the product safety agency last June that drew attention to rising injuries and deaths among juvenile riders.

In calling for a review of current rules and proposed new ones, CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton noted that the rate of ATV injuries has actually decreased, in comparison to the increase in people riding ATVs.

Still, he said, “we are still witnessing noticeably higher levels of injuries and deaths among ATV users.” Consumer groups say the most vulnerable riders are youths under 16.

CPSC officials said that some of the proposals include:

¦ Developing mandatory performance standards pertaining to braking and speed that are now voluntary in the industry.

¦ Requiring training before a consumer can purchase an ATV.

¦ Restricting sales of ATVs to ensure adult models are not sold to teen-agers under 16.

¦ Requiring manufacturers to make more age-appropriate ATV models to limit access to powerful adult models.

The push for tougher regulation comes at a time when ATVs are more popular than ever.

Fifteen million Americans ride ATVs, according to industry data. But most states, including Missouri and Kansas, have few laws regulating their use.

The CPSC estimated that ATV-related deaths rose to at least 621 in 2002, the last year for which complete data is available. About one-third of the dead and injured since 1982 have been children younger than 16.

Industry groups support strong regulations but differ in how to apply them. But they say laws that regulate sales won’t stop parents from buying inappropriate ATVs for their children. They prefer state laws.

Some consumer groups are leery of the new proposals. Concerned Families for ATV Safety said that some of the ideas are not new and fall short of protecting children.

It also said it wants the federal safety agency to set a firm time frame to complete its assessment and make recommendations. For more information go to www.cpsc.gov.

 

Yes it is a shame that people die on atv's but I would guess that nearly all of these cases are from inproper use rather than machine failure or design flaws. I don't think that the atv makers should be forced to change designs in any way, and I don't feel that access to "adult" models should be limited. With experience comes maturity, and I believe that a capable 14 year old could handle an "adult" model. Look at the stats given. Only 621 deaths from improper use out of 15,000,000 people. That is only four thusandths of a percent give or take a few ten thousandths. Now take that and compare it to whatever you wish. This is a very very small percent compared to deaths of other products that many people would call dangerous such as cars, guns, etc. I myself am not one of those people. Accidents are going to happen from lack of common sense.

 

Hey Saltine, what part of overland park are you from I live in southern overland park.

 

There's A new thread out called ever played tag? By DustyRussian. these are the type of people that are creating these problem's.

 

I totally agree!!!! that is why I deleted it!!!!!!

 

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img]

i cant believe u did that!!!


lol jk[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/img]

good job, that was one of the dumbest threads i've seen yet..............