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Accident Reconstruction News Article

ATV Safety Institute Summer Safety Alert For All-Terrain Vehicles

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 30, 2005--As the Fourth of July holiday weekend draws near, the All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Institute would like to reinforce the importance of all-terrain vehicle safety.

Summer marks a time when children have more free time to enjoy many activities, including ATVs. Parental supervision is a key element to a child's safety and children under the age of 16 must be supervised at all times when operating an ATV. Parents literally hold the key to their children's safety. Every ATV has an ignition key, and when a parent or guardian controls the key, they control the use.

With approximately 6.2 million ATVs in use in the United States being operated by over 15 million Americans, it is important that all riders understand the importance of safe and responsible use of ATVs. Almost 90 percent of youth ATV-related injury incidents occur when a youth is operating an adult-sized ATV, meaning that the engine size is greater than 90 cubic centimeters. Every child under the age of 16 should be supervised and should never be permitted to ride an adult-sized ATV.

Consumer Product Safety Commission data shows that over 90 percent of all ATV-related fatalities are the result of warned against behaviors. The ATV Safety Institute has eight Golden Rules of ATV safety that address these behaviors and apply to all riders:

1. Always wear a helmet and other protective gear.

2. Never ride on public roads - another vehicle could hit you.

3. Never rider under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

4. Never carry a passenger on a single-rider vehicle.

5. Ride an ATV that's right for your age. The guidelines are:

Age 6 and older Under 70cc
Age 12 and older 70cc to 90cc
Age 16 and older Over 90cc

6. Supervise riders younger than 16; ATVs are not toys.

7. Ride only on designated trails at a safe speed.

8. Take an ATV RiderCourse; Call Toll-Free at 800.887.2887, or go
to www.ATVSafety.org.

ASI
The All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Institute® (ASI), a not-for-profit division of the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America® (SVIA), was formed in 1988 to implement an expanded national program of all-terrain vehicle (ATV) safety education and awareness. The ASI's primary goal is to promote the safe and responsible use of ATVs, thereby reducing accidents and injuries that may result from improper ATV operation by the rider. For safety information or to enroll in the ATV RiderCourse(SM) nearest you, visit www.atvsafety.org and click on "Online Enrollment," or call 800.887.2887.

Contact:
All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Institute
Media Relations, (949) 727-3727, ext. 3091

Source: All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Institute

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