The CPSC and GAO define ATVs as “off-road motorized vehicles, usually with four tires, a straddle seat for the operator, and handlebars for steering control.” The ATV category does not include side-by-side vehicles such as the Yamaha Rhino and Polaris Ranger, which the government now classifies separately as recreational off-highway vehicles.

GAO says that ATVS have increased in popularity during the last decade and have become a concern to the CPSC and various safety and consumer groups because of their propensity to roll over. Of particular concern is the matter of children who are injured or killed while driving adult-size ATVs or riding as passengers on an ATV that experiences a rollover or crash.

Last October, the CPSC announced it had voted to publish an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) to address safety hazards associated with off-highway vehicles and ATVs. According to the CPSC, “preliminary evaluations indicated that the vehicles may exhibit inadequate lateral stability, undesirable steering characteristics, and inadequate occupant protection during a rollover crash.”

The GAO report will likely influence what new regulations, if any, the CPSC adopts to govern the use of ATVs in the U.S.

GAO analysis found that “injuries and fatalities increased substantially during the last decade, but not as rapidly as the number of ATVs in use, which nearly tripled. According to Commission staff, an estimated 816 fatalities occurred in 2007, the agency’s most recent annual estimate, compared with 534 in 1999, a 53 percent increase.”

GAO says an estimated 134,900 people were treated in emergency rooms for ATV-related injuries in 2008 – a 65 percent increase over the 81,800 people treated in 1999 for injuries resulting from ATV use. Approximately one-fifth of ATV-related deaths and about one-third of the injuries involved children.

No federal regulations exist governing the use of adult-size ATVs by children. GAO says that accidents involving children frequently occur when children are allowed to ride ATVs that are too large and too difficult for them to handle.

Despite the fact that ATVs can weigh about 600 pounds or more and travel at speeds up to 70 mph, many adults allow children to drive or ride them for recreation. As a result, the U.S. is seeing a continued rise in ATV-related injuries and deaths in children.

“Manufacturers and distributors have agreed to use their best efforts to prevent their dealers from selling adult-sized ATVs for use by children, but recent GAO undercover checks of selected dealers in four states indicated that 7 of 10 were willing to sell an adult-sized ATV for use by children.”

CPSC estimates that costs associated with ATV fatalities and injuries more than doubled in less than a decade, soaring from $10.7 billion in 1999 to $22.3 billion in 2007.

To download a version of the GAO’s full report, go here.

SOURCE: Yamaha Rhino Rollover › Government Accountability Office releases ATV report

According to the story, Rhino operators are discovering that side-by-side off-road vehicles such as theirs are technically classified as ORVs, which may be subject to different legislation than ATVs, including requiring operators to register the vehicle, wear a helmet and carry proof of insurance.

Provincial legislation draws a clear distinction between ATVs and ORVs, classifying an all-terrain vehicle as having saddle-seating designed for one person, and handlebars, while Rhinos are technically off-road vehicles – they have a steering wheel, bench seats, and are designed for up to four people.

A quick search for ORV and ATV regulations reveals that most U.S. states have various laws governing the operation of these types of vehicles, and also different ways of classifying them. Some states draw a clear distinction between ATVs and ORVs, while others are not as specific. Many times, the terms are used interchangeably.

In many states, an ATV or ORV must be titled – this is proof of ownership. Additionally, some states require that an off-road vehicle is registered for riding on public land and roads, and ATVs are only permitted on public land and roads that are clearly designated for use by off-highway vehicles (OHVs or ORVs).

According to information provided by the Alabama Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division, in Alabama, any vehicle used on public roads must be registered, titled, and tagged by the Department of Revenue’s Motor Vehicle Division (MVD). However, there is an exemption for both ATVs and ORVs. If you have a vehicle used only on your own property or off-road, you do not have to register, title, or tag it.

Each state is different, so ATV and ORV owners should check with their state for distinctions and regulations.

SOURCE: Yamaha Rhino Rollover › ATV or ORV?