ATV's and how dangerous they are.

[Rerun]

Watched a show last week on how unstable atv's were and the lax standards that manufactures have to meet.

Unbelievable....

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...1024?hub=WFive

Watch both Part 1 and Part 2.... if you don't have time to watch both, at least watch part 2 as it is the most relevant to the story.




Why isn't the federal government doing something about this?

Also, why hasn't the Alberta government introduced a mandatory helmet law for all atv riders? They've been dragging their collective feet for years now.

[frinkprof]

I think every ATV I've ever been on has a big warning label on it that says not to ride it if you are under 16, as it can result in injury or death. I agree that a lot of responsibility should be on the driver. If you roll or tip a quad, usually it is due to riding carelessly and/or not being cognizant of the conditions or any obstacles ahead.

There probably should be a helmet law of some sort, but it would probably be difficult to enforce.

I would like to see better education on ATV safety though. Advertisements encouraging people to take ATV safety courses before they ride, stress caution when driving in poor conditions or terrain, helmets, etc.

[HeartsOfFire]

Helmet laws hinder Natural Selection by protecting the stupid, the bold, and the extreme.

[GreenTeaFrapp]

I know I always take my safety advice from blogs on blogspot with extra long names.

Just because some donkey puts something on blogspot doesn't mean it's true nor does it mean that we've to have the government legislate something that should be common sense.

Instead of trying to crusade this "cause", I'd suggest avoiding blogs written by idiots.

[mikey_the_redneck]

I am almost certain that a helmet law for motorcycles/ATV's does exist, and has for years. I remember cops coming out to where I grew up and telling us we had to wear helmets, because some of the kids had none, or were using something inappropriate like a baseball helmet....

Quads are so overrated.
2 wheel dirt bikes can go more places and are much safer imo...

[burn_this_city]

Quads really arent dangerous until you start riding them really fast and cornering like a maniac. I also disagree that bikes are safer. You can go a hell of a lot faster on a bike than a quad. You're just less likely to be killed by the vehicle landing on you. You also tend to wipe out a lot more on a bike than a quad. Everyone should wear a helmet.

[frinkprof]

Originally Posted by mikey_the_redneck

Quads are so overrated.
2 wheel dirt bikes can go more places and are much safer imo...

That is unless you want to carry any sort of cargo.

[annasuave]

Oh great. Thanks Rerun. I've been trying to convince my husband to buy me a quad for years now. This was going to be the summer he caved. I just KNEW it. But now? I'll probably just get a bicycle and a song and dance about how dangerous quads are.

[ricosuave]

^ you already HAVE a bicycle... in fact, two of them...

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by GreenTeaFrapp

I know I always take my safety advice from blogs on blogspot with extra long names.

Just because some donkey puts something on blogspot doesn't mean it's true nor does it mean that we've to have the government legislate something that should be common sense.

Instead of trying to crusade this "cause", I'd suggest avoiding blogs written by idiots.

The example I gave probably wasn't the best example. I was looking for the story that I watched on tv, on the web, but I was short of time and I couldn't find it.

I have now.....


http://www.edmontonjournal.com/safet...933/story.html

When Professional Engineer Dr. David Checkel was asked by a national investigative news program to help test the safety of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), the mechanical engineering professor thought the study would be a useful and interesting opportunity for himself and for his students.

Their mission was to test the lateral stability, or tipping point, of ATVs.

"There was a concern that ATVs were rolling over unexpectedly, even on smooth terrain," said Checkel.

[Rerun]

I found it!

Here is the W5 report.... complete with video.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...1024?hub=WFive

Few regulations

Although some of Canada's provincial governments do set age restrictions on ATVs, consumer and safety protection advocates have called for stricter standards. This past September, the Ontario Medical Association, released a report that stated, "With a high center of gravity, narrow track width and short wheel base, ATVs are somewhat unstable." The OMA recommended banning children under 14 from driving ATVs at all. Even diehard ATV enthusiasts recognize the dangers of driving these machines. Andrew Ryeland, who operates Bear Claw Tours -- one of Canada's largest ATV tour companies near Parry Sound, Ontario, said, "If you upset the ATV and it falls on top of you, there could be some serious consequences -- you can break bones, you can burn yourself on things like the mufflers and the worst case obviously -- it can cause death."

[Azure]

I've ridden quads for about 18 years of my life and have even flipped a few, including one straight backwards over my head on a 70 degree incline. Yes I was stupid to try going up.

That being said, its all about the operator. If you know how to balance yourself properly, its not that hard to do handle it at very high speeds without tipping it over.

I disagree that they're dangerous. I think idiots that are drunk make them dangerous, and they also give the rest of us 'safe' riders a bad name.

I've had more injuries on the hockey rink.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Azure

I've ridden quads for about 18 years of my life and have even flipped a few, including one straight backwards over my head on a 70 degree incline. Yes I was stupid to try going up.

That being said, its all about the operator. If you know how to balance yourself properly, its not that hard to do handle it at very high speeds without tipping it over.

I disagree that they're dangerous. I think idiots that are drunk make them dangerous, and they also give the rest of us 'safe' riders a bad name.

I've had more injuries on the hockey rink.

So you think the 21 year old stability standard (based on the rollover performance of the worst atv for sale at that time), that the industry currently uses, is just fine with you?

I agree, a lot of accidents are a result of operator carelessness. but.... wouldn't it be a good thing if the standard bar was higher? Increased track width? Lower center of gravity? Better suspension? .... all which would decrease roll overs and back flips?

[flamesfever]

I recall they use to make a 3 wheel variety and, subsequently banned them because of their instability. Perhaps the quad should be redesigned to make it more stable.

I think, whatever happens, there should be more emphasis in training people who first use them. When I first got mine, I checked around to see where I could get some training, and I could find no course available.

[Berger_4_]

Originally Posted by Rerun

So you think the 21 year old stability standard (based on the rollover performance of the worst atv for sale at that time), that the industry currently uses, is just fine with you?

I agree, a lot of accidents are a result of operator carelessness. but.... wouldn't it be a good thing if the standard bar was higher? Increased track width? Lower center of gravity? Better suspension? .... all which would decrease roll overs and back flips?

So basically what you're saying is make the quad into a car?

The centre of gravity on quads is already pretty low. The engine and tranny are a foot off the ground. Don't know how much lower you can go without making the thing useless. You need to be higher up so you're able to get through brush easily. Same with increasing the width on them. They have to be able to sneak through brush and that sort of thing, so the wider they are the less access you have with them. When it comes to suspension, money talks. The more you spend, the better the suspension.

I've rolled quads before (in fact I just about had one roll down a ditch and land on top of me) but to say they are dangerous is dumb. It has everything to do with what kind of driver you've got on the thing. If they know their (and the quad's) limits, they will be fine. When you try and push beyond that is when you get into trouble. That doesn't mean it's the fault of the quad designers for not making it safe enough...it has to do with the fact that ######s are driving the things in situations they shouldn't be.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Berger_4_

So basically what you're saying is make the quad into a car?

The centre of gravity on quads is already pretty low. The engine and tranny are a foot off the ground. Don't know how much lower you can go without making the thing useless. You need to be higher up so you're able to get through brush easily. Same with increasing the width on them. They have to be able to sneak through brush and that sort of thing, so the wider they are the less access you have with them. When it comes to suspension, money talks. The more you spend, the better the suspension.

I've rolled quads before (in fact I just about had one roll down a ditch and land on top of me) but to say they are dangerous is dumb. It has everything to do with what kind of driver you've got on the thing. If they know their (and the quad's) limits, they will be fine. When you try and push beyond that is when you get into trouble. That doesn't mean it's the fault of the quad designers for not making it safe enough...it has to do with the fact that ######s are driving the things in situations they shouldn't be.

Some ideas to increase stability...

Increased weight at the lowest point of the quad to lower the center of gravity

Get rid of all the gear and stuff that people attach to the top of the quad which in fact raises the center of gravity.

Make atvs ONE person only. Passengers negatively affect the stability and handling characteristics.

Have some kind of rollover warning device that will sound when you are approaching the stability angle limit, thus giving you time to make corrections.

Increasing track width by inches will help a lot with there stability. Just 1 foot extra width will go a long way.

Set standards for tire width. Wider tires are better for stability than narrow ones.

Roll bars... a single roll bar will go a long way towards protecting the driver in a rollover situation.. provided the driver can stay on the vehicle


.... and thats where seat belts come into play.

[Flash Walken]

Part of me thinks that the the last thing I would want if I rolled my ATV would be to be strapped into the thing.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Part of me thinks that the the last thing I would want if I rolled my ATV would be to be strapped into the thing.

We used to hear that about cars all the time too...

If there was no roll bar, I would agree with you... but if there was a roll bar, I'd rather stay with the atv.

[frinkprof]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Get rid of all the gear and stuff that people attach to the top of the quad which in fact raises the center of gravity.

What if that's the whole reason you're using the quad in the first place?

Originally Posted by Rerun

Make atvs ONE person only. Passengers negatively affect the stability and handling characteristics.

There's warning labels on quads that recommend you don't do this. They are already designed for one person only.

[burn_this_city]

Rerun have you ridden a quad before?