Oct. 16, 2006 – ATV Report

CPSC launches campaign to address ATV-related injuries
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has launched a campaign to reduce deaths and serious injuries associated with ATVs.
Speaking at a news conference on Sept. 21, CPSC Acting Chairman Nancy Nord said, “ATVs are not toys, especially adult ATVs, which can travel at 60 miles per hour and weigh up to 800 pounds. Children should only ride youth model ATVs — there have been way too many children killed while driving or riding as a passenger on adult ATVs.”
Joining Nord were National 4-H Council CEO and President Donald Floyd, NASCAR legend Richard Petty and ATV racing champion John Natalie.
The number of four-wheel ATVs in use in the United States has increased from just more than 2 million to more than 6.9 million over the past decade. From 1982 through 2004, there were nearly 6,500 deaths involving ATVs. In 2004, an estimated 136,000 people were treated in hospital emergency rooms for ATV-related injuries. In 2003, an estimated 740 people died nationwide in ATV incidents. About 30 percent of all deaths and injuries involve children younger than 16.
CPSC’s campaign includes television and radio public service announcements, creating a new Web site for riders (www.ATVsafety.gov), using CPSC’s Neighborhood Safety Network and partnering with organizations and officials dedicated to promoting ATV safety.
CPSC is encouraging all riders to participate in the training course and follow the commission’s rules for safe riding: never allow a child to operate or ride on an adult size ATV; always wear a helmet and protective gear; never ride tandem on a one-person ATV; never ride on paved roads; and never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The agency also has proposed new rules to make riding safer, including banning three-wheeled ATVs, making the current voluntary standards mandatory, calling for three distinct models of youth ATVs, requiring retailers to offer free training to all ATV purchasers and members of their immediate family and requiring retailers to provide a written form to purchasers with statistics and a warning against the use of adult ATVs by children.
The public has until Oct. 24 to provide comments to the CPSC regarding the rule, which can be e-mailed to tstevenson@cpsc.gov.
Suzuki Adds to SCORE Sponsorship
American Suzuki plans to donate a Suzuki QuadRacer LT-R450 ATV to help enhance SCORE medical operations for the upcoming 39th Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000.
Scheduled for Nov. 15-18, the Baja 1000 starts in Ensenada, Mexico, 65 miles south of the U.S. border near San Diego, and ends roughly 1,000 miles later in La Paz, located on the Sea of Cortez near the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula.
“Our SCORE Medical and Rescue team, which already is as good as it gets in the world of motorsports, will benefit significantly from this significant Suzuki donation,” said Sal Fish, president/CEO of Los Angeles-based SCORE International. “American Suzuki has been an extremely pro-active sponsorship partner with SCORE for nearly two years and we salute the initiative they have taken in adding these new elements to their 2006 associate sponsorship with SCORE.”
The Baja 1000 annually draws entries from more than 30 U.S. states and approximately one dozen other countries. More than 300 racers are anticipated to enter the competition, which includes 27 Pro and five Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs.
The race will again be televised in the United States as a one-hour sports special on NBC TV for the third consecutive year and for the first time, through the efforts of SCORE TV production partner Aura360, will be televised worldwide on ESPN International.
Second unit personnel from Spyglass Entertainment, who is producing a full-length feature film about the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, also will be doing research and scene shots at the event.
Proposed California off-road park clears one hurdle
The Kern County Planning Commission voted to grant the state of California a conditional use permit for a proposed Bakersfield off-road park.
For decades off-road enthusiasts recreated on the hills northeast of Bakersfield. In recent years that part of the county has seen a large amount of commercial and residential development, leaving the off-roaders nowhere to recreate.
The meeting was attended by more than 300 supporters. Many of them wore neon green buttons saying I Support Off-Road Recreation. The buttons were provided by the Kern Off-Highway Vehicle Association (KOHVA).
The state has the option to buy the land for between $8.8 million and $11 million. The Kern County Board of Supervisors now needs to give their approval to the conditional use permit .
KOHVA has been working with state and local officials to find a location for an off-road park since 2001. psb