ATV SAFETYATV SAFETY

Developed by:Developed by:David W. Smith, Extension Safety ProgramDavid W. Smith, Extension Safety Program

Texas Cooperative ExtensionTexas Cooperative Extension

ATV Statistics - 2001ATV Statistics - 2001

111,700 injuries111,700 injuries 16.3 million drivers16.3 million drivers 22.9 million riders22.9 million riders 5.6 million ATVs5.6 million ATVs 6.8 injuries per 1000 6.8 injuries per 1000

diversdivers 20.0 injuries per 1000 20.0 injuries per 1000

ATVsATVsSource: All-Terrain Vehicle 2001 Injury and Exposure Studies.Consumer Product Safety Commission. January 2003.

Causes of ATV InjuriesCauses of ATV Injuries

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugsDriving under the influence of alcohol or drugs Impaired judgment, balance and hazard detectionImpaired judgment, balance and hazard detection

Operating the ATV at excessive speedsOperating the ATV at excessive speeds Loss of control and hazard detectionLoss of control and hazard detection

Inadequate operator experienceInadequate operator experience Children operating large ATVsChildren operating large ATVs

Carrying passengersCarrying passengers Limiting control, upsetting weight balance, and Limiting control, upsetting weight balance, and

restricting visionrestricting vision

Causes of ATV Injuries (continued)Causes of ATV Injuries (continued)

Improper use of ATVsImproper use of ATVs Horseplay or reckless drivingHorseplay or reckless driving

Collisions with other vehiclesCollisions with other vehicles On public and private roadsOn public and private roads

Malicious intentMalicious intent Such as stringing wires across ATV paths with the Such as stringing wires across ATV paths with the

intent of injuring the operatorintent of injuring the operator

Texas ATV LawsTexas ATV Laws

Restrictions are placed all ATV operators who Restrictions are placed all ATV operators who drive on property owned or leased by the state drive on property owned or leased by the state or political subdivision of the state.or political subdivision of the state.

Includes parks, recreational areas, hunting Includes parks, recreational areas, hunting lands, and public roadways.lands, and public roadways.

Texas Transportation Code. Chapter 663

Certification RequirementsCertification Requirements

The operator must attend a state-approved The operator must attend a state-approved ATV safety training courseATV safety training course

The operator must hold a safety certificate and The operator must hold a safety certificate and carry that certificate any time the ATV is carry that certificate any time the ATV is operated on public propertyoperated on public property

Operators are exempt from these requirements Operators are exempt from these requirements if he or she is under the direct supervision of if he or she is under the direct supervision of an adult who holds a safety certificatean adult who holds a safety certificate

Operation by ChildrenOperation by Children

Children younger than Children younger than 14 must complete a 14 must complete a safety training course in safety training course in which the which the demonstration of demonstration of driving skills is requireddriving skills is required

Children younger than Children younger than 14 must be supervised 14 must be supervised by a parent or guardianby a parent or guardian

Required EquipmentRequired Equipment

ATVs must be equipped with a brake and ATVs must be equipped with a brake and muffler system in good working conditionmuffler system in good working condition

ATVs must contain a U.S. Forest Service-ATVs must contain a U.S. Forest Service-qualified spark arresterqualified spark arrester

Headlights and taillights must be illuminated Headlights and taillights must be illuminated at least 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes at least 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise, and any time visibility is before sunrise, and any time visibility is reducedreduced

Safety ApparelSafety Apparel

Operators must wear an Operators must wear an approved safety helmet approved safety helmet and eye protectionand eye protection

Look for a helmet with Look for a helmet with the label from the the label from the American National American National Standards Institute, Standards Institute, Department of Department of Transportation, or the Transportation, or the Snell Memorial Snell Memorial FoundationFoundation

Reckless or Careless OperationReckless or Careless Operation

Operators may not operate an ATV in a careless or Operators may not operate an ATV in a careless or reckless manner that endangers, injures or damages reckless manner that endangers, injures or damages any person or propertyany person or property

Carrying PassengersCarrying Passengers

A person may not carry a passenger on an A person may not carry a passenger on an ATV on public property unless the ATV is ATV on public property unless the ATV is designed by the manufacturer to transport a designed by the manufacturer to transport a passenger.passenger.

Operation on a Public Roadway Operation on a Public Roadway

An ATV operator may not drive on public An ATV operator may not drive on public roadways except to cross a public roadway, roadways except to cross a public roadway, other than an interstate highway or limited other than an interstate highway or limited access highway if:access highway if: The crossing is made at an intersection after The crossing is made at an intersection after

coming to a complete stopcoming to a complete stop The operator yields the right-of-way to oncoming The operator yields the right-of-way to oncoming

traffic, andtraffic, and The ATV’s highlights and taillights are onThe ATV’s highlights and taillights are on

Operation on a Public RoadwayOperation on a Public Roadway

An ATV operator may drive on a public roadway, as An ATV operator may drive on a public roadway, as long as it is not an interstate or limited-access long as it is not an interstate or limited-access highway, if:highway, if: The operation is in connection with certain agricultural The operation is in connection with certain agricultural

productsproducts The operator attaches an 8-foot long pole and triangular The operator attaches an 8-foot long pole and triangular

orange flag to the back of the ATVorange flag to the back of the ATV The operator has a driver’s licenseThe operator has a driver’s license The ATV’s headlights and taillights are illuminatedThe ATV’s headlights and taillights are illuminated The ATV operation occurs in daylightThe ATV operation occurs in daylight The ATV is not driven more than 25 miles from the point The ATV is not driven more than 25 miles from the point

of originof origin

ATV Rider Certification CourseATV Rider Certification Course

Topic include:Topic include: Starting and stoppingStarting and stopping TurningTurning Negotiating hillsNegotiating hills Emergency stopping and Emergency stopping and

swervingswerving Riding over obstaclesRiding over obstacles Personal protective gearPersonal protective gear Environmental concernsEnvironmental concerns Local lawsLocal laws

ATV Safety Institute (800) ATV Safety Institute (800) 887-2887887-2887

Safety TipsSafety Tips

Don’t let children operate ATVs without specialized Don’t let children operate ATVs without specialized trainingtraining

Don’t let children operate ATVs of an inappropriate Don’t let children operate ATVs of an inappropriate sizesize

Minimum Age ATV engine size (cubic centimeter, cc)

6 years and older Under 70 cc

12 years and older 70-90 cc

16 years and older Over 90 cc

Safety TipsSafety Tips

Don’t operate ATVs while under the influence Don’t operate ATVs while under the influence of alcohol or drugs that may impair judgment of alcohol or drugs that may impair judgment or slow reaction timeor slow reaction time

Never operate an ATB at excessive speeds. Never operate an ATB at excessive speeds. Make sure the speed is right for the terrain, Make sure the speed is right for the terrain, visibility, and your riding experiencevisibility, and your riding experience

Always scan the path ahead for potential Always scan the path ahead for potential hazards such as rocks, stumps, low-hanging hazards such as rocks, stumps, low-hanging branches, fences, guy wires and rough terrainbranches, fences, guy wires and rough terrain

Safety TipsSafety Tips

Always supervise young operatorsAlways supervise young operators Always tell someone where you are going and Always tell someone where you are going and

when you will returnwhen you will return Wear appropriate riding gear, including an Wear appropriate riding gear, including an

approved helmet, goggles, gloves, over-the-approved helmet, goggles, gloves, over-the-ankle boots, long-sleeve shirt, and long pantsankle boots, long-sleeve shirt, and long pants

Read the owner’s manual carefullyRead the owner’s manual carefully Never carry extra ridersNever carry extra riders

Safety TipsSafety Tips

Be careful when operating ATVs with added Be careful when operating ATVs with added attachments. These affect the stability, braking attachments. These affect the stability, braking and operation of the ATV.and operation of the ATV.

Never operate ATVs on streets, highways or Never operate ATVs on streets, highways or paved roads, except to cross at safe, designated paved roads, except to cross at safe, designated intersections.intersections.

Always make sure the ATV is in good Always make sure the ATV is in good condition. Check tires and wheels, and braking condition. Check tires and wheels, and braking and steering regularly.and steering regularly.

Safety TipsSafety Tips

Always stop and check the entrance to lands Always stop and check the entrance to lands where you want to ride. Watch out for chains, where you want to ride. Watch out for chains, rope, or wire that may span the entryway.rope, or wire that may span the entryway.

Pay attention to where you are driving. Don’t Pay attention to where you are driving. Don’t trespass onto a posted area, an area with a crop trespass onto a posted area, an area with a crop for harvest, or a fenced area. If a landowner for harvest, or a fenced area. If a landowner asks you to leave, do so immediately.asks you to leave, do so immediately.

SourcesSources

ATV Safety Institute (800) 887-2887ATV Safety Institute (800) 887-2887 ATV Safety Hotline (800) 852-5344ATV Safety Hotline (800) 852-5344 Consumer Product Safety Commission (800) Consumer Product Safety Commission (800)

638-2772638-2772