CPSC Announces All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Programs

December 9, 1998
Release # 99-034

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For Immediate Release;
Contact: Mark Ross
(301) 504-0580 Ext. 1188

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today announced all-terrain vehicle (ATV) safety programs that Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.; Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.; American Suzuki Motor Corp.; Polaris Industries Inc.; and Arctic Cat Inc. are undertaking.

The actions these companies are taking include: (1) implementing a new, multi-million dollar, multi-year information and education safety campaign emphasizing the risks created when children younger than 16 operate or ride on adult-size ATVs; (2) not marketing, selling or offering to sell adult-size ATVs to or for use by children younger than 16; (3) retaining the services of an independent organization to conduct undercover inspections to assure dealer compliance with minimum age requirements in the sale of ATVs; and (4) promoting ATV training through enhanced cash incentives to first-time ATV purchasers or, in the case of Polaris, through requiring that previously untrained purchasers take training in order to receive a warranty on the vehicle.

Federal consent decrees put in place in 1988 had required ATV companies in the market at that time to execute certain safety programs. Those consent decrees expired earlier this year, and so the companies and CPSC held extensive discussions to identify safety programs for the future. Prominent among the new features are the information and education campaign and the enhanced training incentives. Because the companies are implementing these programs, CPSC has approved a resolution commending all five companies.

CPSC believes the companies' actions are important in addressing the risks associated with ATV use -- particularly risks to children. Recent studies by CPSC showed the risk of injury is 2.5 times higher when children younger than 16 drive ATVs than for drivers 16 to 34 years of age and 4.5 times higher for such children than for drivers 35 to 54 years of age.

Although the actions of the companies are important, users also must observe the warnings provided to them with their ATV equipment. These include warnings to never operate an ATV without proper training or instruction; never carry a passenger; never use an ATV on public roads; never use an ATV with alcohol or drugs; and always use an approved helmet and protective gear. Importantly, children under age 16 should not ride ATVs with an engine size greater than 90cc.

Chairman Ann Brown voted to approve the resolution to commend these five companies. Commissioner Thomas H. Moore voted to approve the resolution and issued a statement regarding his vote. Commissioner Mary Sheila Gall abstained from voting on the resolution and issued a statement explaining the basis for her abstention. The resolution, the ballot vote sheets, and the statements of Commissioners Moore and Gall are available to the public through the Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C. 20207. For more information about ATV safety, call CPSC at (800) 638- 2772 anytime.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission protects the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death from 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury and for information onCPSC's fax-on-demand service, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270. To order a press release through fax-on-demand, call (301) 504-0051 from the handset of your fax machine and enter the release number. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's web site at http://www.cpsc.gov. Consumers can report product hazards to info@cpsc.gov.