Mid-SepteMber 2010 31 Farm EquipmEnt DEE JEpsEn


Applied Engineering


ATV safety: A growing problem in Ohio All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) can be


found everywhere in Ohio; they are used in recreational as well as workplace set- tings. The popularity of these off-road vehicles has rapidly grown into a variety of surroundings. The ATV market also has exploded


with add-on products to enhance the utility of the ATV. Consumers are driv- ing these sales, not necessarily the main- stream ATV vehicle manufacturers. Such equipment includes: rotary pull-behind mowers, rear-mounted spray tanks, rear- mounted dump beds, front-end mounted buckets and forks, and a multitude of cultipackers and planting equipment for yards, gardens, turf and field operations. Along with the increase in ownership


of ATVs comes the increase of injuries. These injury rates are quickly getting the attention of insurance companies, health and safety educators, and policy makers.


Injury and death rates Between 1982 and 2002, more than


5,000 ATV-related fatalities were report- ed in the United States. The states with the highest number of deaths included: California (312), Pennsylvania (293), Texas (251), New York (231) and Michigan (229). But these states have large population rates, and large ATV usage rates. However, Ohio was not far behind, with a total of 218 fatalities reported. And the popularity of the ATV had not yet peaked on the U.S. market. Between 2006 and 2008, an estimated 80 Ohioans lost their lives in ATV crashes with 22% of those deaths to children under 16. Nationwide Children’s Hospital


reports more than 10,000 hospital visits each year as a result of an ATV injury. They estimate that ATV-emergency visits have tripled in the last several years.


Preventing ATV injuries The majority of ATV crashes are a


result of operator error. With that in mind, there are simple steps that ATV riders can take to reduce tragedies. Many of these steps require personal responsibility and respect for the vehicle.


What to wear Ohio is a state that requires riders to


wear helmets and goggles when operat-


ing in state parks and forests designated as ATV riding areas. There are no laws enforcing helmets while operating on private property. However, it is always recommended that ATV riders protect their head from injury. ATV helmets should be motorcycle or other motorized sports helmets certified by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and/or the Snell Memorial Foundation (Snell). The goggles or full face shield are important to protect the eyes. Besides the helmet, other important


protective equipment to wear while riding an ATV includes: • Over-the-ankle boots — to


provide support and protect feet and ankles from injury. • Gloves — to protect fingers and


hands • Long pants and long-sleeved shirt


— to protect skin from brush, trees and rocks.


Where to ride ATVs should never be operated on


paved roads. Besides the simple fact that ATVs often lack the lighting and mark- ing requirements that other vehicles have for visibility, they also are intended as off-road vehicles. Once the operator understands how


an ATV is designed, it is simple to understand the reason ATVs cannot be controlled on pavement. ATVs have low- pressure tires and a solid rear axle where both wheels turn at the same speed. When making a turn, the ATV’s inside rear wheel is intended to skid because its path length is less than the path length of the outside wheel. On paved surfaces, the ATV is less likely to skid, making the turns unpredictable and unstable. A bit more about those low-pressure


tires. ATV tires operate on low pressure so they can grab hold of the surface. Rocks, grass, sand, creek beds are all good places for the tires to take hold and support the vehicle’s operation. Paved surfaces do not allow the wheels to “dig in,” and therefore are unpre- dictable and unstable.


How to ride ATVs are “rider active.” This means


the driver’s body movement plays an important part of the vehicle’s handling. This concept is not the same as driving in a car, tractor or utility type of vehicle. The driver of an ATV must be able to shift his weight in multiple directions. When taking a turn, the driver should lean into the direction of the turn. When going up a hill, the driver leans forward to distribute his weight and center of gravity near the front of the ATV. When going downhill, the driver must slide toward the rear of the seat.


Passengers are not allowed on an


ATV for the simple fact that they inter- fere with the driver’s control. Passengers get in the way of the driver’s range of motion and do not typically shift their weight. Because of this interference, the driver may not be able to safely control the ATV. Single rider ATVs display a warning label to remind drivers not to carry passengers. There are new “2-Up” ATVs on the


market, and these are specifically designed to carry a driver with a single passenger. According to manufacturers, these ATVs should never be used to carry children under 12 years of age or to carry multiple passengers.


When to ride There are very clear industry and


government recommendations for chil- dren and teens who are interested in operating an ATV. Many of these rules are in place based on the physical abili- ty of the rider. Children under 16 years old lack the developmental skills to safely drive adult sized ATVs. Full-size ATVs typically have engine sizes of more than 90 cubic centimeters (cc) that allow them to go over 70 mph! Young children and adolescents are not capable of handling the speed and weight of the machine to properly maintain control. Therefore, the recom- mendations are that children aged 16 and below be restricted to ATVs with engine sizes that permit only slower speeds. ATVs are equipped with a label


declaring the manufacturer’s and Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recommended engine size for the age of the rider. A new standard in 2007 allows children to operate youth sized ATVs based on speed limitations and parental control. The recommended ages for Y-6 models (maximum speed of 10 mph) are 6 to 10 years. The recommended ages for the Y-10 and Y-12+ models (maximum speed of 15 mph) vary in physical dimension to accommodate different sized children. A T-model ATV is designed for riders 14 years and older with maximum speed set at 20 mph.


Ohio law for ATVs In Ohio, the state agency that regu-


lates ATV usage is the Department of Natural Resources. The Ohio Revised Code also provides language for ATV operation: • Do not operate on any limited


access highway or right-of-way thereof. • Do not operate on any private


property, including farmland, without permission. • Do not operate on any land or iced-


over waters controlled by the state, except at those locations where a sign has been posted permitting such operation. • Do not operate on the tracks or


right-of-way of any operating railroad. • Do not operate while transporting


any firearm, bow or other implement for hunting that is not unloaded and securely encased. • Do not operate for the purpose of


chasing, capturing or killing any animal or waterfowl. • Do not operate during the time


from one-half hour after sunset to one- half hour before sunrise, unless there is a properly operating lighting system. • Do not operate while riding under


the influence of drugs or alcohol on pub- lic lands. Courts can suspend one’s driv- ers license, impose fines, lawyer fees and jail time. Although not recommended by the


Ohio ATV Safety Program, Ohio law per- mits ATV operators to: • operate off and alongside a street or


road for limited distances from the point of unloading to the point of the intended operating pathway. • operate on the berm or shoulder of


a road when the terrain permits such operation to be undertaken safely and without the necessity of entering any traffic lane. • cross a highway whenever the


crossing can be made safely and will not interfere with the movement of traffic in any direction, and provided the operator yields the right-of-way to any approach- ing traffic. An additional point: ATVs are not


SMVs (Slow Moving Vehicle). By defini- tion, a slow moving vehicle is a piece of equipment traveling on public roadways at a speed less than 25 mph. It is not appropriate, and against Ohio law, to use an SMV emblem on an ATV. Besides, ATVs are not intended for use on public roads.


Training courses in Ohio, some free Education and training is important


for all ATV riders. Many of the serious injuries and reported deaths occur in the first month and first year of ATV ownership. Therefore, ATV safety courses should not be ignored. All dealers in the state of Ohio offer rider training courses. In addition, the Ohio State University 4-H program offers free training programs for youth. Most courses are four hours long, and teach the basics of equipment controls, riding techniques and personal safety. For more information about the OSU Extension courses, call 614-292-0622.


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