Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Summer Safety – Part 5 – ATV Safety

Driving ATVs is a popular and fun way to spend time with family and friends in the hot summer months.

Cellino & Barnes supports your desire to ride them, but we also want you to be safe. Did you know that, on average, there are nearly 280 deaths per year attributed to ATV accidents? These powerful vehicles are potentially dangerous and carry risks if you do not exercise caution.

Here are a few tips from Cellino & Barnes ATV accident attorneys on how to stay out of harm’s way this summer:

Perform Maintenance

Although we are midway through summer, some people are just now starting to enjoy their ATV’s. If you have not already done so, we encourage you to clean it up and check all of the hardware. Most importantly, check your wheels and brakes. Be sure your tires are secure and your brakes are properly maintained.

Make sure you dress appropriately as well. You’ll need a helmet, sturdy jeans, boots, and a riding jacket. Over 136,000 injuries were treated in emergency rooms in 2004 because riders were not properly equipped.

Hitting the Open Terrain

Now that you’re ready to taste the open air, be sure to know your vehicle. ATVs are capable of traveling at remarkably fast speeds, but they can be unpredictable, rolling over unexpectedly. These 700 pounds machines should only be driven by individuals of appropriate age to ensure that they are always under control. Anyone under the age of 16 should not be on an adult ATV, and there should only be one person riding a single passenger vehicle.

We want you to be safe and we hope that you’ll read the tips we’ve provided closely. Our tips are just a starting point. We encourage you to do some exploring of your own and look for safety classes as well.

Enjoy your summer.

No comments:

Post a Comment