I have to admit I was not sure if this post what something we should feature on Activekidsclub.com. But, after asking what our community thought on our facebook page I realized this was important information for our readers, and that this kind of information may prevent accidents
Guest blog by ATVcourse.com
In 2010, 28,300 children under the age of 16 were taken to hospital emergency rooms after being injured on an ATV. Tragically, 55 of those young riders did not recover from their injuries (statistics from ATVsafety.gov).
ATVs are a lot of fun but they can also be dangerous when operated without the right mix of education and common sense. This is true for all ATV riders, but it is especially the case for children who lack the judgment that comes with years of experience.
What can we do to make sure that when a young rider gets on an ATV, the trip doesn’t end in tragedy? Getting educated is the first and most important step.
Age
Age guidelines help determine whether a rider may be overpowered by his or her machine. The following restrictions have been widely accepted.
* Riders under the age of 12 should not be permitted to ride an ATV with an engine larger than 70cc.
* Riders between the ages of 12 and 16 should be limited to ATVs with an engine size of 90cc.
Fit
One of the most dangerous situations is when riders operate machines that are too large for them to control safely. You can ask the following questions to make sure the size of the ATV fits the size of the rider.
* Is the rider able to place both feet on the footrests? When sitting, are his knees bent at about a 45-degree angle?
* Is the rider able to easily reach the foot brake with the ball of her foot, with her heel remaining on the footrest?
* Are the rider’s arms long enough so that she can stay seated when the handlebars are fully turned?
* Is the rider strong enough to squeeze the brake levers until the vehicle comes to a full stop?
* Is the rider heavy enough to keep the ATV stable when riding on uneven terrain and hills?
Readiness
Maybe the most important of all considerations is whether a young rider has the judgment and education to make the decisions that come with operating an ATV. Parents or guardians need to make this call, and it can be a tough one. Here are some questions that can help with the decision.
* Does the rider have the attention span to remain focused on operating the ATV?
* Can the rider handle the perceptual challenges of riding an ATV—does she have good depth perception, peripheral vision, and hand-eye coordination?
* Is the rider aware of the risks of riding a powerful vehicle?
* Has the rider received good supervision and does he have the required safety training in the state where he will be riding?
When all of these considerations have been taken into account—Age, Fit, and Readiness—a young rider will be on their way for safe riding.
About ATVcourse.com
ATVcourse.com is an online course provider of ATV safety education which offers safety courses by state or province. ATVcourse.com for instance, will look at safety considerations and laws corresponding to Oregon legislation. All courses are broken down into three categories: Age, Fit, and Readiness.
