The Facts about CPSC's Report on
ATV Fatalities & Injuries
Irvine, CA (2/23/2010) - The
Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA)
issued the following statement on the "CPSC
2008 Annual Report on ATV Deaths and Injuries":
"The Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC) recently issued a report that showed significant
progress in reducing injuries and fatalities associated
with all-terrain vehicle (ATV) use. The 'CPSC
2008 Annual Report on ATV Deaths and Injuries'
found that total ATV-related injuries in 2008
decreased 10% from 2007, with injuries to children
under 16 declining 6%.
"Following CPSC's release of this report,
some groups have made statements containing false
information regarding the report's data, implying
that the decrease in injuries was due to CPSC
compiling the 2008 data in a different manner
than in previous years by removing recreational
off-highway vehicles (ROVs) from the report. This
is simply not true. ROVs have never been included
in the CPSC's Annual Report.
"The CPSC compiled data for the 2008 report
in the same way it has done previously. In fact,
in comparing the 2007 and 2008 CPSC reports, CPSC
offers the same definition of what is, and what
is not, an ATV. The 2007 and 2008 reports both
state: 'The CPSC defines an ATV as an off-road,
motorized vehicle having three or four low pressure
tires, a straddle seat for the operator, and handlebars
for steering control' [the 2008 report added 'for
steering control]. As important, both the 2007
and 2008 report stated that 'Off-road motor vehicles
having bench seats and/or steering wheels... are
not categorized as ATVs by CPSC staff. Consequently,
fatalities and injuries associated with these
types of vehicles are not included in this report.'
"The CPSC's most recent report should be
viewed as good news by all and reflects the results
of the long-standing, tireless efforts made by
major ATV manufacturers and distributors to promote
ATV safety."
A copy of the CPSC's
2008 Annual Report of ATV-Related Deaths and
Injuries. and the
CPSC's 2007 Annual Report.
The ATV industry is committed to the safety of
riders and will continue to promote and enhance
its multi-tiered efforts to increase awareness
of the proper operation and use of ATVs. Unfortunately,
more than 92% of ATV-related fatalities involve
one or more behaviors that the industry strongly
and visibly warns against in its rider education
programs, in all its literature, and on the vehicles
themselves.
The ATV industry remains concerned that the effective
ban on the sale of youth model ATVs resulting
from the lead content provisions contained in
the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act will
likely result in children under 12 years of age
riding the more accessible larger and faster adult-size
vehicles, creating - in the CPSC's own words -
a "more serious and immediate risk of injury
or death" than any risk from lead exposure.
SVIA strongly encourages Congress to end the ban
on the sale of youth model ATVs.
We urge all ATV enthusiasts and their families
to follow the Golden Rules:
1. Always wear a helmet and other protective
gear.
2. Never ride on public roads -- another vehicle
could hit you.
3. Never ride 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.
6. Supervise riders younger than 16; ATVs are
not toys.
7. Ride only on designated trails and at a safe
speed.
8 Take an ATV RiderCourseSM; call toll-free at
800.887.2887, or take the free E-Course at www.atvsafety.org.
The Specialty Vehicle Institute of America®
promotes the safe and responsible use of all-terrain
vehicles through rider training, public awareness
campaigns and state legislation. Additionally,
the SVIA works to preserve access to off-road
lands and expand riding opportunities. The SVIA
is a resource for ATV research, statistics and
vehicle standards. Accredited by the American
National Standards Institute (ANSI), the SVIA
develops standards for the equipment, configuration
and performance requirements of ATVs.
Based in Irvine, Calif., the SVIA is a not-for-profit
industry association sponsored by Arctic Cat,
BRP, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, KYMCO, Polaris, Suzuki,
Tomberlin, and Yamaha. Visit the SVIA online at
www.svia.org.
For safety information or to enroll in the ATV
RiderCourse nearest you, visit www.atvsafety.org
or call (800) 887-2887.
ATV
Safety Institute
800.887.2887
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