CPSC Urges Riders to Keep All-Terrain Vehicles Off Roads in New Public Service Announcement

WASHINGTON, May 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- As Memorial Day weekend approaches and the ATV riding season begins, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is launching a new public service announcement, urging riders to keep all ATVs ? OFF paved public roads. Every year, there are about 650 deaths and 100,000 injuries involving ATVs, according to CPSC's Annual Report.

VIDEOS: ATV safety public service announcement, :30 and :90 available

:30 sec. English & Spanish PSAs: :30 second PSAs

:90 sec. English & Spanish PSAs:  :90 second PSAs

Videos also available on YouTube

PHOTOS click this link:  ATV Safety Photos

"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," says Ann Marie Buerkle, CPSC Acting Chairman. "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."  

Nearly one-third (32%) of reported deaths, or at least 770 deaths (during a four-year period from 2010 to 2013*), were related to incidents involving ATVs being ridden on paved roads or parking lots. It's important for every rider at every age to know:

• 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.

More than 2,400 deaths related to ATVs were reported for the four-year period from 2010 to 2013,* for all surface types, including paved surfaces. An estimated 430,000 ATV-related injuries were treated in emergency rooms during this same period.

In addition to knowing the dangers of riding on paved surfaces, all riders should always follow the safety tips below when operating an off-road vehicle:

• 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.

For more information, including deaths by state, visit www.ATVsafety.gov.

*Reporting for 2014-2017 is ongoing.

About U.S. CPSC:
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction.  Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals ? contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 40 years.

Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.

For more lifesaving information, follow us on Facebook, Instagram @USCPSC and Twitter @USCPSC or sign up to receive our e-mail alerts. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at 800-638-2772 or teletypewriter at 301-595-7054 for the hearing impaired.

CPSC Consumer Information Hotline
Contact us at this toll-free number if you have questions about a recall:
800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054)
Times: 8 a.m. ? 5:30 p.m. ET; Messages can be left anytime
Call to get product safety and other agency information and to report unsafe products.

SOURCE CPSC