[Moderator]: Hello and welcome to CPSC’s podcast for Thursday, July 3, 2008. In this segment, we’re talking about All Terrain Vehicles or ATVs. They’re fun, fast and extremely dangerous.

New data from CPSC estimate that more 850 people lose their lives in ATV incidents each year. One out of 5 of those deaths were to children younger than 16. Add to that, 146000 injuries treated in emergency rooms in 2006.

Here to talk with us about ATV safety is CPSC spokesperson, Sonia Hayes-Pleasant.

[Moderator]: Sonia, why are there so many deaths and injuries from atvs?

[Sonia]: As more and more people are riding ATVs, CPSC is concerned about 5 situations that lead to deaths and serious injuries nearly every day:

Children riding adult size ATVs.

Tandem riding on ATVs intended for only one person.

Riding on paved roads.

Riding without a helmet or safety gear.

And riding under the influence.

If every rider avoided these 5 situations every time they hit the trails, we would see an immediate and dramatic decline in injuries. CPSC is not trying to take 4-wheelers away from people – we are just trying to make the riding experience a safer one.

[Moderator]:: What is CPSC doing to address the problem and to bring the number of deaths and injuries down?

[Sonia]: We are trying to provide parents and riders with the key tips that will help them stay safe and alive when they ride. At the same time, CPSC Staff is also working on new legislation that will make ATVs safer and provide more safety information to consumers when they are purchasing an ATV.

[Moderator]: What can riders be doing to stay safe on the trails? Obviously helmets are very important.

[Sonia]: Helmets are very important. All riders should wear a full-face certified helmet, as well as over-the-ankle boots, and goggles and gloves to protect the eyes and hands. It also critically important that riders know the terrain up ahead, as many fatalities and serious injuries have occurred when riders ventured into areas that were not safe for riding.

[Moderator]:: Parents play a key role in supervising their children -- what should they be doing to keep their kids safe?

[Sonia]: First and foremost, parents should be safety role models. Meaning they should exhibit the type of behavior for their children to follow, by wearing appropriate safety gear, taking a training course, ensuring that their children ride youth models, and supervising the youngest riders at all times.

[Moderator]:: Where can consumers go to find out more information about ATV safety?

[Sonia]: ATVSafety.gov is a one-stop-shop for everything related to ATVs. The site is user friendly and dedicated to helping drive down the high number of fatalities and injuries by providing riders, trainers, state officials and others with the latest information. Riders can also report injuries and product defects to CPSC through the site.

[Moderator]:: Thanks Sonia. And you can learn more about this and other safety topics by visiting our web site: www.cpsc.gov. While you’re there, sign up to receive our free recall announcements directly to your email inbox. When there’s a potentially hazardous product that been recalled, you’ll hear about.

That’s it for this week’s CPSC podcast and thanks for listening.

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