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ASA promotes ATV Safety
Training at Local Dunes
ATV Training for Kids
can save lifes
Canyon Country, CA (10/7/2010)
- Since new laws regarding children riding ATVs
on public lands were implemented nearly 3 years
ago, it is now becoming easier to comply with
them while at the Imperial Sand Dune Recreation
Area (ISDRA) because of the availability of ATV
safety training. And, not a moment too soon! As
the opposition pushes to ban ATV use by children
under the age of 16, “statistics”
fuel their effort. By following the law and instilling
good judgment upon our children, we can reduce
accidents that sometimes lead to hospital visits.
These preventable emergency room visits become
statistics used to motivate the ban of kids ATV
use!
Parental control and supervision is a vital part
of safe child ATV riding. As parents, we literally
hold the key to our children’s safety. Every
ATV has an ignition key, and when we control the
key, we control the use. As a parent or adult
supervisor, child ATV riders are under our care
and control. Children look to parents and adults
to keep them safe, don’t let them down.
We are the key to every ride beginning and ending
safely, without injury.
BE LEGAL!
California State Law requires that Parents or
Guardians maintain an active role in a child’s
ATV use.
• Children under the age of 16 must be actively
supervised at all times when riding an ATV. A
parent or guardian must allow continued use only
if you determine that your child has the ability
and judgment to operate the ATV safely.
• No person under the age of 14 shall operate
an ATV on public lands located in California unless
that person holds an appropriate safety certificate
and, in addition, is accompanied by and under
the direct supervision of a parent or guardian
who is also certified.
• Anyone operating an off-highway vehicle
must be able to reach and operate all controls
necessary to safely operate the vehicle. Press
Release — American Sand Association
• No person under the age of 18 shall operate
an ATV on public lands located in California unless
he/she has received the safety certification in
this state, or another state, or is under the
direct supervision of an adult who has the appropriate
safety certification in his/her possession. Presently,
law enforcement officers are issuing citations
under CVC Section 38504.1 and a judge can order
a fine for the adult who fails to provide supervision.
After a horrible accident, it is possible for
the state to consider a parent to be liable for
a child’s ATV accident if they have
neglected to comply with the Law.
BE SAFE!
While we have all heard that “ATVs are not
one-size-fits-all,” consider for a moment
the ramifications of sending your 12 year old
out for a ride on your new 450cc quad. The ATV
Safety Institute reports that approximately 90
percent of youth ATV-related injuries occur when
a child under the age of 16 is operating an adult-sized
ATV. Follow the manufacturer's recommended age
limitations for every ATV.
GET CERTIFIED!
To help all of us ride smart by following the
law, ATV Safety Training is available at the Imperial
Sand Dunes! A total of 19 ATV Safety Training
Classes will be held by the American Desert Foundation
(ADF) in the North Dunes, South Dunes and Superstition
Mountain locations throughout the 2010-2011 riding
season. The hands-on, half-day ATV Rider Course
is conducted by licensed ATV Safety Institute
Instructors. It offers students an opportunity
to increase their safety knowledge and to practice
basic riding skills in a controlled environment
under the direct supervision of a licensed instructor.
ASA Volunteer Mike Reber recently attended one
of the courses and said, “Last Winter, I
took my six year-old son to a class and in just
a few hours, he earned his certification. The
Glamis location couldn’t be more convenient
for our family!” ATV manufacturers and the
State of California ensure all children under
18 can take this training without a fee, parents
and the rest of the family may qualify for free
training, as well. For more information, visit
http://www.americandesertfoundation.org.
By setting a good example, parents and adults
can help keep children safe on ATVs and reduce
the statistics used against off-road enthusiasts
by opponents of this type of outdoor family recreation.
About the American Sand
Association:
The American Sand Association is a non-profit
organization of approximately 32,000 members dedicated
to preserving the use of public lands for sand
sport enthusiasts’ use, improving OHV safety
and promoting responsible land use. Some local
sand sport areas include the Imperial Sand Dunes,
Oceano Dunes (Pismo Beach) and Dumont Dunes in
California, Sand Mountain in Nevada and Hotwell
Dunes in Arizona. The ASA is an all-volunteer
organization with no paid staff. We rely on the
financial support of sand sport enthusiasts and
small businesses. Most of the members are family-oriented,
have a rich family history going back for generations
enjoying the sand sport; and most have a significant
financial investment in their equipment, gear
and campers. Additional information can be found
on our web site at www.americansandassociation.org.
www.americansandassociation.org
P.O. Box 1872
Canyon Country, CA 91386
(888) 540-7263
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