ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE (ATV) SAFETY(ATV) SAFETY

Information and PreventionInformation and Prevention

April 2009

Training ObjectivesTraining Objectives Identify the regulations associated with Identify the regulations associated with

ATVs in the state of Missouri. ATVs in the state of Missouri. Recognize the dangers that ATVs can Recognize the dangers that ATVs can

pose. pose. Identify methods parents and adults Identify methods parents and adults

can use to keep kids safe on ATVs. can use to keep kids safe on ATVs.

What is an ATV?What is an ATV? All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) are motorized All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) are motorized

cycles with 3 or 4 tires. cycles with 3 or 4 tires. ATVs weigh between 300 and 600 pounds. ATVs weigh between 300 and 600 pounds. ATVs run an average speed of 20 to 55 miles ATVs run an average speed of 20 to 55 miles

per hour. ATVs can reach speeds of up to 75 per hour. ATVs can reach speeds of up to 75 miles per hour. miles per hour.

ATVs are not toys. They can cause serious ATVs are not toys. They can cause serious injury if not used properly.injury if not used properly.

Where Should ATVs Be Where Should ATVs Be Driven?Driven?

ATVs are designed to be used off-road.ATVs are designed to be used off-road. In Missouri, ATVs are not to be used on In Missouri, ATVs are not to be used on

highways unless the ATV is operated highways unless the ATV is operated by the government or operated for by the government or operated for agricultural use between the hours of agricultural use between the hours of sunrise and sunset. sunrise and sunset.

(Missouri State Highway Patrol)(Missouri State Highway Patrol)

ATV Registration ATV Registration RequirementsRequirements

ATVs can not be operated in the state ATVs can not be operated in the state of Missouri without being registered of Missouri without being registered with the Department of Revenue. with the Department of Revenue.

No one under the age of 16 is allowed No one under the age of 16 is allowed to register an ATV.to register an ATV.

ATV InjuriesATV Injuries

Occur when: Occur when: The driver loses control and the The driver loses control and the

ATV rolls over; ATV rolls over; A passenger is thrown off; orA passenger is thrown off; or When there is a collision with a When there is a collision with a

fixed object. fixed object.

Missouri Child Deaths Missouri Child Deaths Due to ATVsDue to ATVs

Three of the 93 motor vehicle fatalities Three of the 93 motor vehicle fatalities reviewed by CFRP panels in 2007 reviewed by CFRP panels in 2007 involved all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).involved all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).

Only one of the three Missouri Only one of the three Missouri children who died in ATV-related children who died in ATV-related accidents in 2007, was wearing a accidents in 2007, was wearing a helmet.helmet.

In 2007, only one of the ATV fatalities In 2007, only one of the ATV fatalities among Missouri children was 16; the among Missouri children was 16; the other two were age 12 and 13. other two were age 12 and 13.

In 2007, a 13-year old was driving an In 2007, a 13-year old was driving an ATV on a gravel road, when he lost ATV on a gravel road, when he lost control and ran off the roadway, control and ran off the roadway, striking a tree. He suffered massive striking a tree. He suffered massive head injuries. He was not wearing a head injuries. He was not wearing a helmet. helmet.

In 2007, a 12-year old was being taught In 2007, a 12-year old was being taught to drive an ATV by his aunt. The child to drive an ATV by his aunt. The child was on the front seat and the aunt was was on the front seat and the aunt was in the rear. They were doing circles in in the rear. They were doing circles in a rural yard, when he got too close to a a rural yard, when he got too close to a barbed wire fence, hit the throttle barbed wire fence, hit the throttle instead of the brake, sending the ATV instead of the brake, sending the ATV into a fence at a high rate of speed. into a fence at a high rate of speed. The child suffered fatal injuries and The child suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. was pronounced dead at the scene.

What Can Parents Do to Keep Kids What Can Parents Do to Keep Kids Safe on ATVs?Safe on ATVs?

A child under the age of 6 years old should A child under the age of 6 years old should not be riding an ATV.not be riding an ATV.

A child between the ages of 6 and 16, A child between the ages of 6 and 16, should be riding an ATV that is the should be riding an ATV that is the appropriate size for their age: appropriate size for their age: 6 years and older Engine Size Under 6 years and older Engine Size Under

70cc70cc 12 years and older Engine Size of 70-90 12 years and older Engine Size of 70-90

cccc 16 years and older Engine Size Over 90cc16 years and older Engine Size Over 90cc (ATV Safety (ATV Safety

Institute)Institute)

What Can Be Done to Keep Kids What Can Be Done to Keep Kids Safe on ATVs?Safe on ATVs?

Always provide supervision to children Always provide supervision to children while riding an ATV. while riding an ATV.

Provide a helmet for your child to wear Provide a helmet for your child to wear while riding an ATV. while riding an ATV.

Enroll your child in an ATV training Enroll your child in an ATV training course. course.

Know the state laws surrounding ATVs Know the state laws surrounding ATVs (registration requirements, required safety (registration requirements, required safety equipment, rules of operation).equipment, rules of operation).

What Can Kids Do to Stay Safe on What Can Kids Do to Stay Safe on ATVs?ATVs?

If you're between the ages of 6 and 16, If you're between the ages of 6 and 16, only ride an ATV when your parents only ride an ATV when your parents can supervise you. can supervise you.

Always wear a helmet. Always wear a helmet. Wear goggles, boots, and gloves that Wear goggles, boots, and gloves that

will protect you from harm while riding will protect you from harm while riding an ATV. an ATV.

Never ride an ATV as a passenger. Never ride an ATV as a passenger.

Never operate an ATV with a passenger Never operate an ATV with a passenger on board. ATV's are one person on board. ATV's are one person vehicles. vehicles.

Avoid riding your ATV on steep slopes Avoid riding your ATV on steep slopes or rocky terrain. or rocky terrain.

Do not operate ATV's at high speeds. Do not operate ATV's at high speeds. Do not drive your ATV on public roads Do not drive your ATV on public roads

(streets, highways, or paved roads). (streets, highways, or paved roads).

For More InformationFor More Information

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, www.ATVSafety.govwww.ATVSafety.gov

All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Institute, All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Institute, www.atvsafety.orgwww.atvsafety.org

Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri State Highway Patrol, http://www.mshp.dps.mo.gov/MSHPWeb/Publicahttp://www.mshp.dps.mo.gov/MSHPWeb/Publications/Brochures/documents/SHP-448.pdftions/Brochures/documents/SHP-448.pdf

Injury Free Coalition for Kids, Injury Free Coalition for Kids, http://http://www.injuryfree.org/safetytpc_display.cfm?Permawww.injuryfree.org/safetytpc_display.cfm?PermanentIdnentId=D331E956-B845-4AFC-9478A4A8CAC0AE55=D331E956-B845-4AFC-9478A4A8CAC0AE55

MO Department of Social Services MO Department of Social Services State Technical Assistance TeamState Technical Assistance Team

Address:Address:

PO Box 208PO Box 208Jefferson City, MO 65102-Jefferson City, MO 65102-02080208

Telephone: Telephone: (573) 751-5980(573) 751-5980(800) 487-1626(800) 487-1626(8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST, (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST, Monday – Friday) Monday – Friday)

Email:Email:

   dls.stat@dss.mo.govdls.stat@dss.mo.gov