New ATV bill proposed in Oklahoma

[Groundworx]

I am not sure if I am posting this is the right forum or not, but I think that this is a pretty interesting story. Here is what I could find on the local news stations website.

(OKLAHOMA CITY -- A proposal intended to reduce deaths and injuries to children and teenagers on all-terrain vehicles is being offered by state Senator Bernest Cain.

The bill called The Children's ATV Safety Act would prohibit children under age 12 from riding on ATVs and require anyone under 18 to wear a helmet when on an ATV.

The bill comes after a study last May by the Journal of the Oklahoma State Medical Association found 62 people were killed and nearly 400 suffered brain or spinal cord injuries in ATV accidents between 1992 and 2002. The study says nearly half of those injured were younger than 16 and one was 3-years-old.

The bill has the support of numerous health agencies and several law enforcement organizations.)

If this goes through, I am going to be PO'd . I have 2 boys (ages 7 and 9) and they ride all the time with me. If I am understanding this right, they are trying to make it where children under 12 can't operate ATVs at all. I could go along with a size limit for kids under 12, but don't take it away completely. My kids have been riding since they were 4 and 6 and it will break thier hearts if they aren't able to ride for another 3 and 5 years. I can't disagree with the helmet part of the bill though. I think everyone should wear as much safety gear as possible. I don't even let my kids load thier bikes on the trailer without a helmet.

Leave it to a few people being irresponsible to mess it up for everyone. If this bill makes it to vote, all the OKlahoma residents need to vote on this. Post your thougts on this if you want.....

[TravEX]

Hmmm, maybe there is a size limit and not just prohibited all together. Keep us posted.

[mad_max]

.......Leave it to a few people being irresponsible to mess it up for everyone. If this bill makes it to vote, all the OKlahoma residents need to vote on this. Post your thougts on this if you want.....

Man, I seriously doubt the bill (as you describe it) will get passed. Oklahoma is a pretty loose state (Kansas would probably enact the law ). But Oklahoma could stand to tighten things up a little, I'd like to see a helmet law for ATV's in the state. I periodically ride at Appalachia Bay (Keystone Lake OK) and there are basically no rules there.

[El'Capitan]

That sounds great, most of the children out there should'nt be alowed to ride. I find myself dodging all the kids out their driving their little 70's on the wrong side of the road. I personally think that a course that teaches basic etiquette while they are riding should be required for those under the age of 14 before they can legally go out and ride in public places. just my .02

[Groundworx]

Hmmm, maybe there is a size limit and not just prohibited all together. Keep us posted.

I watched the news and read about it. They are talking about taking it away completely for kids under 12. They talked to the owner of a local Kawasaki shop and he said they encourage parents to buy smaller ATVs for thier children instead of letting them ride the bigger machines.

[Groundworx]

That sounds great, most of the children out there should'nt be alowed to ride. I find myself dodging all the kids out their driving their little 70's on the wrong side of the road. I personally think that a course that teaches basic etiquette while they are riding should be required for those under the age of 14 before they can legally go out and ride in public places. just my .02

A safety course would work too, but I still don't think taking it away is the answer.

You don't have kids do you?

[chris200x]

If only they did this back in 87'

I dont know how it is in other states but here in Pa I believe (maybe someone could correct me) but Its required to take an ATV safty coarse when you purchase a new atv. I havent purchased anything new in quite along time but I think i remember seeing that somewhere.

I think there should at least be an age requirement for a certian amount of cc's. for example: Like noone under the age of 12 can operate any ATV with a displacement over 200cc's or something to that effect.

It never fails though I have seen it already in my local paper this year and its only january. a 13 year old girls was killed by being towed behind an atv on a sled. In the warmer months it gets even worse.

Also it seems to me that the local news makes a real big story out of every incident because of Paragon being in the immediate area. seems like every summer they have search parties and helicopters out looking for someone that was on an ATV.

People really just need to use their heads and not ride while drinking or riding above their abality.

[hoser]

Snip

"The bill comes after a study last May by the Journal of the Oklahoma State Medical Association found 62 people were killed and nearly 400 suffered brain or spinal cord injuries in ATV accidents between 1992 and 2002. The study says nearly half of those injured were younger than 16 and one was 3-years-old."

Those numbers just for Oklahoma or nation wide?

[Tri-ZNate]

Chris, I believe it is only STRONGLY recommended that they take a saftey course and when they do they take money off of insurance I believe. All I know is my friend didnt take it and he bought a brand new raptor in '04.

[TimSr]

Snip

"The bill comes after a study last May by the Journal of the Oklahoma State Medical Association found 62 people were killed and nearly 400 suffered brain or spinal cord injuries in ATV accidents between 1992 and 2002. The study says nearly half of those injured were younger than 16 and one was 3-years-old."

Those numbers just for Oklahoma or nation wide?

Approximately 40,000 people in the US die from auto accidents each year. Approximately 1000 people in the US die each year from bicycle accidents. On the average less than 100 people die per year on ATVs and that number has stayed about the same since the early 90's even though ATV use has skyrocketed. Then you can look up home accidents such as bathtub drownings, and really get an idea as to what these numbers mean.

Fact is, your kid is a lot more likely to die in the truck on the way to your riding area than after he gets there, but we should all use good sense in choosing the proper machine for his physical size and abilities, (age has little to do with it) and make good use of safety equipment. Behind nearly every fatal accident is a long list of preventable stupidities that led to it.

[hoser]

Approximately 40,000 people in the US die from auto accidents each year. Approximately 1000 people in the US die each year from bicycle accidents. On the average less than 100 people die per year on ATVs and that number has stayed about the same since the early 90's even though ATV use has skyrocketed. Then you can look up home accidents such as bathtub drownings, and really get an idea as to what these numbers mean.

Fact is, your kid is a lot more likely to die in the truck on the way to your riding area than after he gets there, but we should all use good sense in choosing the proper machine for his physical size and abilities, (age has little to do with it) and make good use of safety equipment. Behind nearly every fatal accident is a long list of preventable stupidities that led to it.

I agree 100%, been riding ATV's since 1971

I just wondered if the numbers were for OK only..

All accidents are preventable.

All rules and laws are a reaction to a problem..

What is the real driving force with the rul changes, is it safety or tree huggers using a different tool to get their way?

Cant count the ammount of times I seen little kids riding a ATV built for a adult because parents were too cheap to buy their kids the proper ATV.

[Groundworx]

Snip

"The bill comes after a study last May by the Journal of the Oklahoma State Medical Association found 62 people were killed and nearly 400 suffered brain or spinal cord injuries in ATV accidents between 1992 and 2002. The study says nearly half of those injured were younger than 16 and one was 3-years-old."

Those numbers just for Oklahoma or nation wide?

I believe these are just Oklahoma #s.

[Groundworx]

Approximately 40,000 people in the US die from auto accidents each year. Approximately 1000 people in the US die each year from bicycle accidents. On the average less than 100 people die per year on ATVs and that number has stayed about the same since the early 90's even though ATV use has skyrocketed. Then you can look up home accidents such as bathtub drownings, and really get an idea as to what these numbers mean.

Fact is, your kid is a lot more likely to die in the truck on the way to your riding area than after he gets there, but we should all use good sense in choosing the proper machine for his physical size and abilities, (age has little to do with it) and make good use of safety equipment. Behind nearly every fatal accident is a long list of preventable stupidities that led to it.

These are a good points and stats TimSr. I have a question though, why are ATV's the target? I don't see anyone trying to pass a bill to help prevent auto or bicycle accidents.

The news report showed pictures of a teenager who was trying to help get this passed. He was injured on an ATV sometime last year. They showed pics of his injuries. It was obvious he wasn't wearing gear. Probably riding crazy too. He was in the hospital for quite a while and they said he was thrown from his ATV. This station has a thing called the Rant where you can email in your opinions and they might read your email on air tonight. I have sent one already and I am fixing to send a 2nd.

[TimSr]

Why target ATV's? They targeted assault rifles event though rifles of any kind are used in less than 1.5% of all gun crimes. They targeted "cop killer" bullets even though no cop has ever been killed by a "cop killer" bullet. It makes good TV, its easy to sensationalize, and its believable to an ignorant public.

[El'Capitan]

A safety course would work too, but I still don't think taking it away is the answer.

You don't have kids do you?

Uhhh, nope, im not one of those teen parents.