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Federal Panel sets Deadline
for Commenting on ATV Safety
 The
federal Consumer Production Safety Commission has
set a December 13 deadline for people to comment
on the safety of ATVs.
The federal safety panel currently is considering
"whether there may be unreasonable risks of injury
and death associated with some'' ATVs. The commission
says it is considering what actions it could take
to reduce ATV-related deaths and injuries.
This is all part of the commissions Advance Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking issued in October.
Act now to voice your opinion on the safety of
ATVs, for both adults and kids. Let the commission
know that you oppose any restrictions on the sales
of ATVs for use by kids. Comments should be sent
by December 13 by e-mail to cpsc-os@cpsc.gov. Comments
should be captioned "ATV ANPR."
Comments may also be mailed, in five copies if
possible, to the Office of the Secretary, Consumer
Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 20207-0001,
or delivered to the Office of the Secretary, Consumer
Product Safety Commission, Room 502, 4330 East-West
Highway, Bethesda, Maryland 20814-4408; telephone:
(301) 504-7923.
Comments also may be faxed to: (301) 504-0127.
For more information, contact Elizabeth Leland,
project manager, ATV Safety Review, Directorate
for Economic Analysis, Consumer Product Safety Commission,
Washington DC 20207; telephone: (301) 504-7706,
or e-mail eleland@cpsc.gov.
This is the first step toward issuing new rules
related to ATVs, and that could mean big changes
for the industry and consumers, the All-Terrain
Vehicle Association reports. It's a potentially
serious step. The last time the commission seriously
considered ATV safety, it banned three-wheeled ATVs.
Recently, the three-member CPSC has been considering
a petition submitted by the Consumer Federation
of America and other groups that calls for the CPSC
to ban the sale of full-size ATVs for the use of
children under the age of 16.
That potential ban has been opposed by ATVA Director
Doug Morris and American Motorcyclist Association/ATVA
Legislative Affairs Specialist Royce Wood, who testified
in a commission hearing on the issue. Rather than
a blanket ban on the sale of ATVs for use by kids,
they supported a more thoughtful approach that includes
greater parental involvement.
"We believe that proper training, the use of
safety gear, parental supervision, and allowing
children to ride right-size vehicles would do much
to reduce ATV-related injuries and deaths involving
children under 16," Morris said.
The ATVA, sister organization of the American
Motorcyclist Association, is the only national organization
devoted exclusively to fighting for the rights of
ATVers. More members mean more clout to fight to
protect your right to ride. To join the ATVA, call
(800) ATVA-JOIN, or go to
www.ATVAonline.com.
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