Injury Prevention - ATV Safety
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Riding with a Whole New Respect
In a matter of a few seconds your life can change forever!
At 16, I thought it couldn’t happen to me, but it did. As a result of an ATV crash, I became a paraplegic paralyzed from the waist down. Many factors contributed to my rollover: two people on the ATV; a downhill corner; excessive speed; impaired judgement; and no helmet.
I am very fortunate to have survived this preventable collision. Today, I still ride, but I ride with a whole new respect. Take it from me – think about safety and use common sense. Ride with a whole new respect. Avoid facing a life-altering situation. Please ride safe and have fun!
While Riding
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Stay in control at all times and always ride within your ability. Remember… speed kills!
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Drive sober. Consuming alcohol or drugs before riding impairs judgement and slows your reaction time.
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Always wear an approved motorcycle helmet, eye protection and appropriate footwear.
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Always wear protective clothing such as long sleeved shirts, long pants and leather gloves.
Cornering
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Ease off on the throttle while entering a corner.
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Never take a corner at a speed you can’t control.
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Begin wide turns by leaning your upper body into the turn to maintain control of the machine.
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Make sharp turns by shifting your whole body towards the inside running board.
Climbing Hills
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Keep your feet firmly planted on the footrests.
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Shift into a lower gear and maintain a steady speed before you begin to climb the hill
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Move forward in the seat.
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Lean forward or stand if necessary to put your body weight on the front wheels.
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