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A Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) study 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.”

According to a recent CPSC report, ATV-related deaths involving children under 16 years-of-age accounted for more than 1 in 5 of the 15,250 ATV-related deaths recorded between 1982 and 2017.

In 2018, CPSC launched a campaign to encourage riders to keep off paved public roads when riding ATVs because nearly one-third of the reported deaths from 2010 to 2013 occurred on public roads.

Ann Marie Buerkle, CPCS Acting Chairman, said, “Even if your county or town law permits ATVs to be driven on paved public roads, we urge you to take caution and keep your ATVs off these roads. Off-road vehicles are not designed to be driven on paved surfaces, and collisions with cars and other on-road vehicles can be deadly for ATV operators.”  

Florida laws say that ATVs cannot be operated on public roads, streets, or highways, except as otherwise permitted by the managing state or federal agency.

Verywell Family reports that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) supports laws that “prohibit the use of ATVs, on-road or even off-road, by children and adolescents younger than 16 years.”

CPSC believes it is important for every ATV rider, regardless of age, to know the following about dangers and safety tips when operating ATVs:

Dangers

• Off-road vehicles are designed to be driven only on off-road terrain, not paved surfaces.
• Off-road vehicles are difficult to control on paved surfaces and are at-risk of overturning.
• On paved roads, off-road vehicles are at a higher risk of colliding with cars, trucks and other vehicles.
• In many states, it is illegal to ride off-road vehicles on paved roads.

Safety Tips

• Always wear a helmet and other protective gear, such as eye protection, boots, gloves, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt.
• Never ride with more passengers than there are seats. Most ATVs are designed for one rider.
• Get hands-on training from a qualified instructor.
• Riders younger than 16 should only drive age-appropriate youth model ATVs, never adult ATVs.

“ATVs are manufactured by many different companies. Some manufacturers design them in such a way that they may roll over easily or fail to provide adequate protection, such as roll cages or seat belts. When accidents occur, serious injuries, even deaths, may happen. Should you or a loved one be injured in an ATV accident because of the negligence of another, please contact our experienced legal team after seeking medical assistance. At Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., we are always available to assist you whenever you need us. There are no costs or attorney fees unless we make a monetary recovery for you,” said Fort Myers ATV Accident Attorney Randall Spivey.

Fort Myers ATV Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll-free at 1.888.477.4839, or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and Collier County 239.793.7748.