New Consumer Product Safety Commission
Report Shows Decline in ATV Injuries Involving Youth
Under Age 16
Irvine, CA (12/7/06) - A report released
today by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC
2005 Annual Report of ATV Deaths and Injuries”)
shows that the number of estimated all-terrain vehicle
(ATV) injuries involving children under 16 fell 10%
between 2004 and 2005, and has fallen from 37% of all
ATV-related injuries in 1998 to 30% in 2005.
The report also shows that the estimated injuries per
10,000 ATVs declined for the fourth year in a row and
is now at its lowest point since 1998. These declines
have occurred even while the number of four-wheel ATVs
in use increased by 700,000 units between 2004 and 2005.
The four-wheel ATV injury rate declined 9% over the
same time period.
Further, the report indicates that the risk of fatality
per 10,000 ATVs has declined from 1.4 per 10,000 in
use in 1999 to 1.1 per 10,000 in use in 2005.
Since 1998, the number of ATVs in use has more than
doubled. Yet, for the eight-year time period since the
CPSC’s new injury sample and methodology has been
in place, there has been no appreciable upward trend
in injury risk and, as noted, the injury risk has declined
since 2001 and is now at its lowest point since 1998.
“The CPSC report again shows that the commitment
of the member companies of the Specialty Vehicle Institute
of America to rider education, parental supervision,
and state legislation is working and has resulted in
a continued decline in injury and fatality rates over
the past several years,” said Tim Buche, president
of the SVIA. “Since 1984, the major manufacturers
and distributors of ATVs in the United States have worked
closely with the CPSC to implement ongoing safety initiatives.
The industry applauds CPSC’s recent public education
efforts to promote safe and responsible ATV use, and
has supported the agency in these efforts.”
Buche added that the industry is also cooperating closely
with the CPSC on the agency’s review of ATV safety
standards. He said the ATV industry is committed to
the safety of its customers and will continue to promote
and enhance its multi-tiered efforts aimed at increasing
awareness of the proper operation and use of ATVs.
“However, we remain concerned that new entrants
to the U.S. market that don’t comply with the
voluntary safety standards that established ATV companies
adhere to are jeopardizing the safety of young riders,”
he continued. “These new entrants now comprise
20 percent of the market and are undercutting the safety
programs developed by established ATV companies. SVIA
encourages CPSC to analyze the new entrants’ compliance
with safety standards as part of the agency’s
review of ATV standards.
“We want to ensure that the injury trend continues
in this direction – down – so it’s
more important than ever to get the word out that kids
don’t belong on adult-sized ATVs, and that all
riders need to follow the industry’s recommended
guidelines for safe and responsible riding. The bottom
line is, even one crash or injury is one too many,”
said Buche.
Millions of Americans operate ATVs safely and responsibly
every day. 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 vehicle
itself. The industry’s top priority is to continue
to work with the CPSC, user groups, retail dealerships,
and all others interested in promoting ATV safety to
further reduce the number of accidents resulting from
misuse of the product.
About the ATV Safety Institute
Since 1983, the Specialty Vehicle
Institute of America® (SVIA) has promoted the safe
and responsible use of All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) through
rider training programs, public awareness campaigns,
and state legislation. The SVIA also serves as a resource
for ATV research, statistics, and vehicle standards.
The SVIA, based in Irvine, California, is a not-for-profit
trade association sponsored by Arctic Cat, BRP, Bush
Hog, Honda, John Deere, Kawasaki, Polaris, Suzuki, Tomberlin
and Yamaha. For membership information, call 949.727.3727;
for safety information or to enroll in the ATV RiderCourseSM
nearest you, visit www.atvsafety.org
and click on “Online Enrollment” or call
800.887.2887.
ATV
Safety Institute
800.887.2887
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