An All Terrain Vehicle is a motorized vehicle with 4 (or sometimes more) wheels that is manufactured to go on different types of terrain. An ATV is manufactured to travel over rough surfaces.
The engine size of the ATV can vary greatly from 49 cc to 1000 cc. Therefore, an All Terrain Vehicle can be a powerful as a larger motorcycle.
Interestingly, there is a federal ban in the U.S. on the sale of three-wheel ATVs, because of safety concerns. In 1987, The Consumer Product Safety Commission voted to confirm an agreement, made by the Justice Department with manufacturers, which banned the sale of three-wheel all-terrain vehicles.
At the time of the ban in 1987, there were approximately 2.5 million ATVs in use. Half of the ATVs had three wheels. According to a Washington Post article in 1987, there were about 880 deaths and 300,000 injuries from 1982 to 1989, related to ATVs.
Updated Statistics on ATV ownership, for 2018, shows the following
- For age group 18 – 29 : 8.11% own an all-terrain vehicle
- For age group 30-49: 11.85% own an all-terrain vehicle
- For age group 50-69: 5.5% own an all-terrain vehicle
The Consumer Product Safety Commission stated in 2005 there were approximately 137,000 emergency room visits due to injuries associated with ATV usage. (This statistic would not, by definition, include injuries which were not treated in an emergency hospital setting. )
The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that no person under 16 be allowed to drive an all-terrain vehicle.
Using an All-Terrain Vehicle is high risk. The ATV can be as powerful as a motorcycle, with a large engine. In addition, off road conditions can add unknown risks to driving an All-Terrain Vehicle. Anyone thinking about using an ATV should wear all of the safety gear of a motorcycle rider, including a helmet and appropriate clothing.
If you have been involved in an accident from an off-road vehicle, please feel free to contact:
Attorney Robert M. Singer
2572 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT 06518
203-248-8278
rsingerct@yahoo.com