Another ATV accident - More bad/dumb news re

[PAX]

Today's Steinbach online ............

"2 girls were rushed to hospital last night following an ATV mishap in the Grunthal area. RCMP report the 14 year-old girls were riding on Provincial Road 216 just after 5:30 p-m when the machine went out of control and rolled. They were transported to Bethesda Hospital where one of them was kept overnight for observation and the other was treated and released. The girls have been charged for failing to wear a helmet and the owner of the ATV has been ticketed for having an unregistered quad"

what does it take before people stop considering ATV's as toys, but rather powerful machines that can end up hurting or killing people. These incidents are becoming so common its like folks just shrug their shoulders and forget about it. Seems like education just isn't getting it down when it comes to practiising safe riding - Oh, I forgot, what riding/safety education is out there that is mandatory? Whats that you say- you can just drive up to a dealer, plunk down your cash, and legally haul away a machine and give it to your kids to go riding, as long as your not going somewhere where a valid driver's license is required?

sorry - incidents like this just burn me up, as we all talk about safety and right noe especially, ATVing's image, but continue to see dumb, dumb, things like this. Thankfully, in this case, we can again say "thank goodness it wasn't worse....." or "glad their not hurt too ba...", and go on our way, until the next one.

[LeCaptain]

I thought it was illegal to take a machine off your land without a license?

[hotdog]

AND under 16 must be supervised by an ADULT. So where were the parents in this case???

[MudChucker]

So many things wrong with this story... and for some reason when I read this article it appears that the author wants the reader to believe it was some how the ATV's fault.

[tandr2]

that the author wants the reader to believe it was some how the ATV's fault.

You mean it's not? Come on man! it's always the ATV's fault...

Where is the parents responsibility for allowing their kids to ride on a highway (where the speed limit is at least 80 if not 100)? And on top of it all, they weren't wearing a helmet??

Hopefully they take this as a serious lesson learned and be thankful they are still alive to see another day.

[BushBabe(1984)]

It's really too bad that these things happen but if these girls were a little smarter and decided to be "safe" instead of "cool" and wear helmets and practice riding by the rules then we wouldn't have this problem of the reputation of ATV'ers getting ruined! But stupid kids like this are going to make it all worse for us all!
It really pisses me off! No one in invinsable, but it seems like kids these days don't care what they do or how they do it, and they don't learn a damn thing until someone gets hurt or killed!

[tandr2]

it seems like kids these days don't care what they do or how they do it, and they don't learn a damn thing until someone gets hurt or killed!

And then it's "well we didn't know" or "it's not our fault"

Grrr

[PAX]

"but it seems like kids these days don't care what they do or how they do it, and they don't learn a damn thing until someone gets hurt or killed!"

That's why the "rules" such as they are, talk about supervision. And in my opinion, enforcement of the totally inadequate rules/regulations in Manitoba absolutely suck, and the adults who are supposed to be providing the supervision, need to get whacked big time with fines if their kids are caught breaking them. Better that, than the alternatives like this story or maybe much worse!!!!

[JoeCool]

... decided to be "safe" instead of "cool" and wear helmets ...They are cool... :action-smiley-070:

[cat-can-do]

i hardly think licencing is the solution. (just a money grab) I've been driving atv and truck since the age of twelve on the farm. Also been driving Semi and trailer since the age of sixteen. I'am 25 years old accident and injury free. it's a matter of proper guidence and teachings of responsibilities and consequences form parents. The education of the product you are in power of. I was taught all this very young. Therefore with all i've done accident free i owe that to my parents. I've done stupid shit and knew what could happen but did them anyway cause it was fun.

[cat-can-do]

It burns our ass when this stuff happens...but in the end you can't legislate stupidity. Our prisons have enough people in them

[4MULA]

Well the bright side is they lived and doesn't sound to horrible of a crash, but there is a prime example of a parent not giving a vehicle the respect it deserves, and not teaching kids that helmets are a must. I would never ride without a full face on anything...I'm smacked my head and rolled my sled enough times to know what can happen....hay I think I made a rhyme! :)

[wild man]

hey pax have i met you on any derby s

[The Chef]

I make my kids read this news and then let them know it does and can happen. I will say that I do see more law enforcement at derbies so this is a start that they are checking for insurance and helmuts.

[LdyBigBear]

Here is my thoughts on this, The Manitoba Snowmobile Safety course has been in for years and as a teenager with my own snowmobile, I had to go and take the course before I could even get on my machine to ride it , that was the law laid down to my sister and the other kids in our snowmobile club by our parents. What I got out taking it came in handy and I have never forgotten it to this day ,I still use what I learned on the trails with a sled and on a quad...The Rules apply regardless whether your riding on snow or in the mud..
I also know that when someone comes in to buy a SeaDoo they "have" to take a safety course before they can use it on the water..So my question is why isn't there people out there to make up a test for anyone who is wanting to buy or ride a quad..Common Sense isn't working when all we are seeing is quadding accidents in the news.. It's time that something like this (Quad Safety Course) should be put in place either by the companies that sell them,or MPIC

[LeCaptain]

Here is my thoughts on this, The Manitoba Snowmobile Safety course has been in for years and as a teenager with my own snowmobile, I had to go and take the course before I could even get on my machine to ride it , that was the law laid down to my sister and the other kids in our snowmobile club by our parents. What I got out taking it came in handy and I have never forgotten it to this day ,I still use what I learned on the trails with a sled and on a quad...The Rules apply regardless whether your riding on snow or in the mud..
I also know that when someone comes in to buy a SeaDoo they "have" to take a safety course before they can use it on the water..So my question is why isn't there people out there to make up a test for anyone who is wanting to buy or ride a quad..Common Sense isn't working when all we are seeing is quadding accidents in the news.. It's time that something like this (Quad Safety Course) should be put in place either by the companies that sell them,or MPIC

I think you need to take the boat course cause there is a risk of drowning. I know there are risks for quads and sleds too, but if you fall off a quad or sled, you most likely wont be drowning.

Just my 2 cents.

[tandr2]

I think you need to take the boat course cause there is a risk of drowning. I know there are risks for quads and sleds too, but if you fall off a quad or sled, you most likely wont be drowning.

Just my 2 cents.

Umm, unless you're Robin of course. :yes: :action-smiley-075:

I agree though, there should be a safety course before you can register a quad...same as the motorcycle license type thing...

[LdyBigBear]

I think you need to take the boat course cause there is a risk of drowning. I know there are risks for quads and sleds too, but if you fall off a quad or sled, you most likely wont be drowning.

Just my 2 cents.


(We are talking about kids riding quads without Helmuts and not knowing how to ride safe on a quad, so it's going to be the samething if somebody hops on a seadoo without a life jacket and drowns).. What my thoughts were about goes more indepth then that, you "have to " learn the safety part of riding the seadoo, "Water Safety," ie: LIFE JACKET..how to drive it properly, the do's and don't's while on the water, etc...With the Snowmobile safety course you learn how to ride properly and safely on a sled and I think it should be the samething for quadders as well..The motorcycle safety course is "mandatory" before you can even ride a bike and then once your finished and have passed it then you are given a graduated license with stipulations, the first year you can only ride the bike during the day with "NO" passenger and not at night then after that year is over without any inccidents then you go to the next graduated step and so on...

[BDP]

In a situation like the one being mentioned here, there are really 2 people to blame in my opinion. The girls, and the parents. If it wasn't for the parents, they would not (and maybe SHOULD not) have access to an ATV. Also, perhaps if they were properly educated by the parents on the dangers etc., this, as with may other accidents, could have been avoided.

Of course, the other party to be blamed is the riders, who should simply know that at the very least, you should be wearing helmets.

Personally, I don't believe any kind of government safety course is the answer. There's enough government rules to follow in everyday life without adding more. It should be a matter of being properly educated by the parents (in instances of children learning to ride) before being able to ride alone.

It would however be a great idea for an OPTIONAL ATV safety course, for people for example who either A) Don't have parents who ride to teach them, or B) are perhaps adults who are new to the sport.

[tandr2]

RCMP report the 14 year-old girls were riding on Provincial Road 216 just after 5:30 p-m when the machine went out of control and rolled.

I'd like to know where the ticket is for riding on the highway...last time I checked, that was illegal..

[mongrol]

There are enough rules out there for all the things we do, JUST FOLLOW THE DAMN THINGS!

[BushBabe(1984)]

They are cool... :action-smiley-070:

Exactly.....they are I love my new helmet and my quadding gear I think it's hot! So I don't understand why kids just don't get it! They have to follow the rules the same as we do, however if they get hurt they get a slap on the wrist and we get slapped with a fine if it was one of us! Those parents need to step up and take some responsibility!

[skidplate]

I believe that there should be some sort of safety course given for ATV riders, even if it is only a Compulsory Course. Something to teach the basic knowledge about the ATV, including testing through different obsticle courses, hill climbing and just basic trail riding. Proper ways to get off the quad in case of a roll over should be a major thing!!
It's all too easy to put yourself in a situation where you may not know the best way to get out of it, and I've been there! Sometimes you need to think quickly in a situation, and if the knowledge isn't there..... something bad may happen.

[LeCaptain]

I believe that there should be some sort of safety course given for ATV riders, even if it is only a Compulsory Course. Something to teach the basic knowledge about the ATV, including testing through different obsticle courses, hill climbing and just basic trail riding. Proper ways to get off the quad in case of a roll over should be a major thing!!
It's all too easy to put yourself in a situation where you may not know the best way to get out of it, and I've been there! Sometimes you need to think quickly in a situation, and if the knowledge isn't there..... something bad may happen.

Yes this would be nice, but in most cases you just cant teach stupid!

[Wolf]

Just a quick note on this:

As far as a training course, myself and a co-worker had talked about starting one. When we checked into it further, the initial costs would run into the thousands of dollars to get the program up and running. Unless the government makes it mandatory, relying solely on people coming on their own accord would have been a huge gamble... and we all know how much we love it when the government tells us what to do!
At this point neither one of us were prepared to risk that kind of money, but ya'll will be the first to here if that ever changes ! :yes:

There are laws in existence already and people choose not to follow them as it is. Read the Off-Road Vehicles Act (http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/o031e.php) , how many people can say they have NEVER violated even one of those laws ? The big problem is enforcement of those laws.

Kids ??.. well some kids may not care, but most know what they are taught so once again.. where are the parents ?
My 13 year old son and I shared a great ride the other day. Him on the 350 and me on the Cat. He wore his own helmet, gloves, boots and long sleeve clothing/jeans with me riding right behind him so I could watch his every move.... FUN TIMES !! :humbs:
Handing them the keys and turning your back... NO WAY.

OK.. maybe that was more than a "quick note" !! LOL rant off - :rant:

[bigbear]

I think you need to take the boat course cause there is a risk of drowning. I know there are risks for quads and sleds too, but if you fall off a quad or sled, you most likely wont be drowning.

Just my 2 cents.
A guy was quadding, had his quad flip, pinning him underneath it...all that was sticking out of the water was his nose....so, yes, I'd say you can drown on a quad, as crazy as it sounds.

[yamarider]

Florida Supreme Court to hear ATV case that could challenge parental rights .

After a fatal ATV incident of a 14-year-old boy five years ago, the Florida Supreme Court announced it would hear arguments next month brought by the estate of Christopher Jones against the owners and manager of Thunder Cross Motor Sports Park in Okeechobee, according to TC Palm

The case will debate whether parents have the ability under Florida law to sign release forms that give away the right of their children to sue for damages.

The law varies from state to state, with some states allowing these types of releases and others not.

[LeCaptain]

A guy was quadding, had his quad flip, pinning him underneath it...all that was sticking out of the water was his nose....so, yes, I'd say you can drown on a quad, as crazy as it sounds.

Yeah we can use that argument, but quads are not meant to go in that deep of water. Yes we make them to this, but that is not what they are designed to do.

So from what you are saying then is that to ride a car, we should also have to take a boating course cause someone might go in the river with it?

Yes, I'm being sarcastic, but I think you know what I mean. I'm all for training, but I just dont see the benefits for it with quads. Boats, cars and motorcycles have rules to follow (cars and motocycles stay to one side of the line, etc. - boats must know what buoys mean, etc.), quads go whereever they wish. Hope I'm explaining myself enough.

[BDP]

So from what you are saying then is that to ride a car, we should also have to take a boating course cause someone might go in the river with it?

Yes, I'm being sarcastic, but I think you know what I mean.
It does sound funny the way you put it, however, I will tell you that as crazy as that sounds, a guy I went to high school with died when we were 19 years old in a car accident from just that. He drove his vehicle off a little cliff, and it flipped upside down & he was pinned under water. His passenger lived as his head was just out of the water from my understanding, but unfortunately the driver did not.

Anywho, not to throw a twist on things, but it just proves anything can happen!!

[rayf]

how many of you have the attachable 2-up seat on the back of your quads, if i remember right, they all say no passengers allowed....
talk about rules eh?

[bigbear]

Hey, no worries leCaptain, I'm just playin Devil's Advocate..lol
As for the notice on the 2 up seats that reads.."no passengers allowed", I put that in the same pile as all the Honda Goldwing and Valkyrie Interstates, you know, the big cruiser, motorcycle owners manuals that tells you...."don't pull a trailer". As you know, many do, including yours truly and I discovered it is Honda's way of washing their hands if someone gets killed/injured while pulling a trailer with their bike. It keeps them from being sued.

[tigger16p]

Unfortunately things like this happen and people or kids get hurt. As for "where are the PARENTS" sometimes kids forget or get complacent with where the are riding and feel safe. My son was killed December 27 2006 in a snowmobile accident. We left him at his grandparents and told him to wear his helmet unfortunately he didn't when he went out with his other cousin. The only thing we think is he looked back for his cousin , in doing this pushed down on the handle bar turning the machine towards a hydro pole and got clipped by the cable, 6 inchs either way and he may have been alright but we won't know. The doctor said that a helmet wouldn't have helped to save him, because the cable broke his neck. Speed was not a factor either it was a true accident the police officer said. Sometimes you can't blame the parents kids will usually try and do as they please. Now if you think back when we were young how many things did we do that were stupid. Helmets are good but arent always the answer.JMO

[skidplate]

Unfortunately things like this happen and people or kids get hurt. As for "where are the PARENTS" sometimes kids forget or get complacent with where the are riding and feel safe. My son was killed December 27 2006 in a snowmobile accident. We left him at his grandparents and told him to wear his helmet unfortunately he didn't when he went out with his other cousin. The only thing we think is he looked back for his cousin , in doing this pushed down on the handle bar turning the machine towards a hydro pole and got clipped by the cable, 6 inchs either way and he may have been alright but we won't know. The doctor said that a helmet wouldn't have helped to save him, because the cable broke his neck. Speed was not a factor either it was a true accident the police officer said. Sometimes you can't blame the parents kids will usually try and do as they please. Now if you think back when we were young how many things did we do that were stupid. Helmets are good but arent always the answer.JMO

Very sorry to hear that.

It is true, kids will be kids, whether it's trying to be "cool" or just plain carelessness. The only thing we can do is educate them and teach them by example, like these girls for instance.
Now as parents, if we are around and notice that they are intending on taking a ride without a helmet, at least we are there to correct them, but maybe we won't always be there!!
But in the case of these girls, I don't know about everyone else but I would not be allowing my kids to go for a ride unless I was home in the first place!! So either these girls took off when no one was home, or the parents were there to see that they had left with no helmets on. Either way it was wrong, and hopefully they have learned a thing or two, same with the parents.
I know one thing for damn sure..... I have 3 kids, and I know they will try to do things the "cool" way!! But our keys to ANY ATV, SKIDOO, BOAT.... WHATEVER..... WILL NOT BE LEFT FOR THEM TO GET THEIR HANDS ON WHEN WE ARE NOT HOME!!