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Lauren Wynn
is the Program Specialist who coordinates the Georgia Farm Bureau Safety Program.
Georgia Farm Bureau Safety Program
All
Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) are a popular form of recreation and
a useful tool on the farm. An ATV is a three- or four-wheeled
vehicle with low-pressure tires, powered by a gasoline engine.
As with any equipment, there are safety rules that should
be followed.
It is
important to make sure that the ATV fits the rider in both
size and strength. Manufacturers recommend that no one under
the age of 12 operate an ATV and children under the age of
16 should not drive an ATV over 90 cc. 12 to 15 year old drivers
who are operating an adult-sized ATV have more than two times
the average risk of injury.
Complete
protection is not possible, but the appropriate protective
clothing can reduce the chance of injury while riding an ATV.
A helmet is the most important piece of safety gear, because
it can prevent serious head injuries by resisting penetration
and absorbing shock. When you buy a helmet you should look
for a sticker from one or more of these agencies: Department
of Transportation (DOT), Snell Memorial Foundation, or American
National Standards Institute (ANSI). These groups have developed
testing procedures to evaluate helmets for their protective
qualities. Athletic headgear is not adequate for ATV riding.
Other
types of safety gear can offer extra protection while you
are riding an ATV. Eye protection, such as goggle or a face
shield, can prevent you from getting hit in the eyes and being
blinded. Off-road style gloves offer your hands more comfort
and can keep them from getting sore or cold. Boots should
be low-heeled to prevent your feet from slipping off the footrests
and over-the-calf for extra protection. Long sleeved shirts
and long pants can protect your skin from scratches while
riding an ATV.
You can
ride further in one hour on an ATV than you can walk in a
day, so a pre-ride inspection will reduce your chance of being
stranded. The most common checks include tires, wheels, controls,
lights, switches, oil, fuel, chain/drive shaft, and chassis.
ATVs
are designed to be used off-road only. Many accidents occur
because of collisions with other vehicles due to riding on
or crossing a road illegally or improperly. Make sure you
use extra caution near roads and yield the right of way to
oncoming traffic.
A hands-on
training course can improve any driver's skills. However,
ATVs are only designed for one rider - the operator. A passenger
can impair the driver's ability to shift weight to steer and
control the ATV. Riding double can be hazardous.
If you
practice safety, riding can be a real ATVenture.
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Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not represent
NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears by permission
of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
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