Preventing injuries from all-terrain vehicles Flashcards
What is an all terrain vehicle?
Four-wheeled, motorized vehicles with large, low-pressure tires, designed for a single operator riding in off-road areas.
What are the new Canadian ATV industry voluntary recommendations regarding standards?
Y-6+ models designed for children >6yo factory set max speed 16kph and can be adjusted to max speed 24kph
Y-10+ models designed for riders aged >10yo, factory set max speed 24kph and can be adjusted to reach max speed 48kph
Y-12+ models designed for riders aged >12yo, factory set max speed 24kph and can be adjusted to reach max speed 48kph
“T” models designed for riders aged >14yo, factory set max speed 32kph and can be adjusted to reach max speed 61kph
What is included on the warning labels for all youth-model vehicles as per manufacturer’s standards?
- Age limit for use
- Need for mandatory adult supervision
- Warning that operation of that vehicle by children under the designated age limit increases their “risk of severe injury or death”
What factors increase the risk and severity of ATV related injuries among children and youth?
- Male
- Carrying or being a passenger
- Inexperience
- Inadequate physical size and strength
- Immature motor and cognitive development
How much did the risk of injury from ATV use reduce when a driving a youth model with an engine size <90cc compared to operating an adult-sized vehicle with engine size >200cc?
18%
What is the risk for a child or teen operating a youth-model ATV compared to an adult on a larger machine?
Twice as high
What is the risk of injury to a youth using a smaller machine compared to an adult on a machine of the same size?
Five times as high
What are the CPS recommendations regarding operation of an ATV?
- Children and youth younger than 16 years of age should not operate an ATV. The lack of evidence that youth models reduce the risk of injury means this recommendation must apply to all vehicle sizes, including youth models.
- For youth operators who are at least 16 years of age, as well as adults, the following recommendations are made:
a) ATV operators should wear a government-certified helmet, eye protection, and protective clothing and footwear at all times.
b) Operators of ATVs designed for single riders should never take on passengers.
c) ATV drivers should not operate a vehicle after drinking alcohol or when potentially impaired by other substances.
d) ATV drivers should complete an approved training course. Training should have both theoretical and practical components and include mandatory testing to pass the course. Post course evaluations should be instituted to ensure that training courses are producing safer riders. - Provinces and territories must harmonize and pass effective off-road vehicle legislation that mandates:
a) a minimum operator age of at least 16 years,
b) restricting passengers to the number for which the vehicle was designed,
c) compulsory helmet use with no exemptions, and
d) training courses, licensing and registration. - In regions where ATVs provide one of the only means of transportation, such as Canada’s remote and isolated communities, local education programs that convey their potential dangers to children and youth and that promote safer riding behaviours are essential.
- Community-based programs should include prohibiting ATV use as a form of recreation by children and youth.
What are the CPS recommendations for the ATV industry?
- ATV manufacturers improve vehicle design and operating standards to address the large margin for driver error. Until the safety record is significantly improved for older youth and adult operators, consideration cannot be given to permit the marketing of any ATV model to youth under the age of 16.
- ATV manufacturers be governed by mandatory and stringent product safety regulations and monitored by the federal government. More specifically, while the Canadian Paediatric Society does not support the use of youth-model ATVs by anyone under the age of 16, the fact that these vehicles are being marketed for use by children must make them subject to federal product safety regulations and monitoring, as for other children’s products.
What is the current provincial/territorial ATV legislation for BC?
- No minimum operating age on private or public land
- No mandatory safety training for children <16yo
- No mandatory helmet use
What is the current provincial/territorial ATV legislation for Alberta?
- No age restriction on private land
- No mandatory safety training for children <16yo
- No mandatory helmet use
- Children <14yo require adult supervision when driving on public property
What is the current provincial/territorial ATV legislation for Saskatchewan?
- No age restrictions on private land owned by an immediate family member
- No mandatory safety training for children <16yo
- Mandatory helmet use on public land only
- Minimum age 12 years of age to drive on public property, with adult supervision or safety training required for those under the age of 16.
What is the current provincial/territorial ATV legislation for Manitoba?
- Children <14yo require adult supervision on private and public lands
- Mandatory safety training for children <16yo
- Mandatory helmet use
What is the current provincial/territorial ATV legislation for Ontario?
- No age restrictions on private land owned by the vehicle’s registered owner
- No mandatory safety training for children <16yo
- Mandatory helmet use on public land only
- Children <12yo require adult supervision when driving on public property
What is the current provincial/territorial ATV legislation for Quebec?
- Minimum 16yo for adult sized ATVs
- Mandatory safety training for children <16yo
- Mandatory helmet use
- Children <16yo can operate “youth model” ATVs as specified by the manufacturer
