Florida Approves ATV Safety Institute E-Course for State Certification
Safety Institute Aims at Working with More States

Irvine, CA (3/24/2010) - Florida is now the first state using the ATV Safety Institute's online E-Course to earn certification for an off-highway vehicle certificate.

The Florida Division of Forestry worked with the ASI to create state-specific details for a specialized Florida E-Course, a Web-based curriculum that's packed with nearly two hours of ATV safety information. By Florida law, when operating an off-highway vehicle on public land, all riders age 6 to 15 must possess a Florida OHV Safety Certificate and they must be supervised by an adult.

"We are excited to be able to reach so many more people with safe and responsible OHV use messages through the ASI E-Course," said Tami Leonard, OHV recreation coordinator for the State of Florida, Division of Forestry. "It's an excellent addition to our program that already offers the ASI ATV RiderCourse and Motorcycle Safety Foundation DirtBike School."

The ASI offers approved training for OHV certification in the Sunshine State under agreement with the Florida Department of Agriculture's Division of Forestry. Previously, any student who completed an ASI ATV RiderCourseSM or MSF DirtBike SchoolSM class was eligible for a Florida OHV Safety Certificate. Now the ASI Florida E-Course also fulfills that requirement. Students age 6 to 15 will automatically be issued certificates after successful completion of any of these courses.

"We'll apply the lessons learned in working with the Florida Division of Forestry, and their OHV Advisory Committee, as we partner with other states wishing to add the E-Course to their certification programs," said Tom Yager, ASI vice president, safety programs. "The ASI E-Course is designed to incorporate state specific information as needed."

The ATV Safety Institute develops rider training programs, conducts hands-on ATV RiderCourseSM in all 50 states, and promotes the safe and responsible use of ATVs 24 hours a day through several free interactive online safety E-Courses.

To enroll, riders simply visit www.atvsafety.org and click on the ATV E-Course. The Florida course can be selected during registration. After completing the course, students may take a quiz, and upon passing, receive a certificate. The cost for the Florida E-Course quiz and certificate is $25.

Each self-paced E-Course covers the ASI's Golden Rules, the fundamentals of riding (with an emphasis on risk management and avoidance) as well as the ATV itself. The online courses include real-world videos from a rider's point of view, animation, and interactive learning exercises and quizzes to self-test the knowledge gained.

"Online instruction is very useful, but there is no substitute for hands-on training when it comes to developing the physical skills for safely operating an ATV," Yager said. "All riders must remember that their safety is their responsibility. We want them to choose to be responsible and follow the Golden Rules."

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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