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Chatham-Kent Safety Village Chatter
All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Safety
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
The all-terrain vehicle (ATV) first appeared in Canada in the 1970s. It was designed and sold as a multipurpose utility and recreational vehicle.ATVs are used in farming, forestry, natural resource exploration, law enforcement and peacekeeping. In recent years, they have become very popular for adventure tourism, trail riding and camping.
With increased exposure has come a rise in injuries ó most of them preventable. Speed, inexperience, improper apparel, non-use of helmets and alcohol are common factors. ATV injuries are more likely to happen to boys aged 15 to 19 than any other group. A US study found that only four per cent of the drivers involved in injury incidents reported having had any training.
Alarming Stats:
In February 2003, the Canadian Institute for Health Information reported a 50% increase in hospitalizations due to ATVs over the past five years.
In the category of sports and recreation, ATV- related activities are now the 3rd most common cause of severe injuries next to cycling and snowmobiling.
Children between 5 and 19 accounted for more than 36% of all ATV-related injuries.
Safety Rules & Tips:
No municipal roads in Chatham-Kent have designation for ATV use.
In Chatham-Kent ATVs shall only be operated on your own private property or where you have permission from the landowner.
Children under 12 should never ride on an ATV.
Children between 12 and 16 should only use smaller ATVs with a 90cc motor, and should always drive under adult supervision.
Only one person per ATV, never double ride.
Wear appropriate riding gear- helmet certified for ATV use, goggles, gloves, over the ankle boots, long sleeved shirt and long pants.
Make sure your ATV is well maintained.
Never drink and drive.
The Chatham-Kent Children's Safety Village provides a farm safety program to grade six students every winter. The program runs from mid-January to mid-February and provides students with lessons on chemical safety, machine safety, ATV safety and instruction on farm and home safety (i.e. lawnmowers, farm equipment, fire extinguishers etc.) For more information on any of the programs offered at the Children's Safety Village please visit HYPERLINK "http://www.cksafetyvillage.org" www.cksafetyvillage.org.
Resources- Canada Safety Council, Farm Safety Association, R U Safe C-K
