Wearing helmets on ATVs saves lives
Shoals-area Emergency Management Agency directors know in the weeks after Christmas, they can generally expect an uptick in calls related to all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).
“Anytime a holiday season or gift-giving time comes around, gifts like ATVs are something very popular in our area,” said Florence-Lauderdale EMA Director Brad Holmes. “People often don’t understand the safety laws surrounding the operation of [four wheelers, dirt bikes and other ATVs] … and they can be very dangerous if operated inappropriately.
“Folks should follow safety instructions and wear the correct protective clothing — helmets on ATVs save lives.”
Holmes’ thoughts were echoed by Colbert County EMA Director Jody Hitt and Franklin County EMA Director Mary Hallman-Glass.
All three stressed it is paramount in the days and weeks following the holidays to not become lax regarding ATV safety.
Hitt said one of the most important things parents should remember is to provide supervision to children and teens using ATVs — especially if it is the first time they have operated such a vehicle.
“The younger generation will go straight from opening gifts to riding without being given a thorough rundown or adequate lesson on how to operate the machine,” he said. “The older generation — they get comfortable and become dare devil. They think they’re just going to ride for a minute, then get risky.
“That minute can turn into a life-changing moment.”
Hitt said officials responded to a call before Christmas involving a father and his two-yearold child being injured on an ATV, and Holmes said an ATV turnover call came into Lauderdale County on Christmas Eve.
Hallman-Glass said all the Franklin County calls have been related to Parker’s Mountain Ride where ATV riders can drive around trails.
She noted every emergency call has involved a rider without a helmet.
“The injuries is those that don’t have helmets,” Hallman-Glass said. “When you roll those things, the first thing that’s going to get smashed is your head.”
There is more to ATV safety than helmet wearing, however.
Holmes stressed the importance of knowing laws and operating vehicles accordingly to stay safe.
“We unfortunately see calls of someone out driving equipment without knowing limitations,” he said. “ATVs are very fun if used correctly, but there are dangers associated with operating outside their design or capability.”
That includes operating an ATV at its highest possible speed, according to Holmes.
He said while an ATV may be able to operate at 40 miles per hour, that does not generally mean it should be operated at such a speed.
“The likelihood of hitting a rut or losing control is pretty great at 40 miles per hour,” Holmes said. “A 40 mile per hour crash on a four-wheeler can cause very serious injuries.”
Additionally, he explained ATVs are meant to be off-road vehicles for a reason. They should not be operated on asphalt, and it is actually illegal to drive most ATVs on city or county roads.
