Be prepared when riding All-terrain vehicles
By Lynn R. Blamires
All-terrain vehicles have been singled out in numerous press accounts this month as being extremely dangerous. Accidents involving ATVs have been the cause of several tragic deaths, including that of former U.S. Rep. Bill Orton, while others have been seriously injured.
One writer suggested that ATVs are dangerous even when people ride them carefully. A critical review of the accidents this spring reveals an element of carelessness in every case. Whether it is the unfamiliar nature of our sand dunes, riding double on machines not designed for two, riding too fast on unfamiliar trails or allowing an inexperienced rider to use a machine, people are not being careful, and the results have been fatal.
Should ATVs be singled out as an exclusive target? Let's look at other outdoor activities. Several incidents have occurred this year where rescue crews have been called out to get people off mountains. Hikers have gone out unprepared for changing elements and have suffered as a result. People have been caught in storms while driving cars or trucks in the backcountry. Hunting accidents happen every year. Snowmobile accidents are in the news every winter. Skiing accidents and even deaths on our winter mountains are not uncommon. Incidents have also been reported in the use of ultra-light aircraft and hang gliders. I maintain that there is a level of training and skill required in all outdoor activities to reduce the risk.
The common denominator in all of these events is the lack of experience when participating in activities outside of our element. As our Utah seasons change, the activities associated with each season come to life. The fact that there has been a season of dormancy for each activity implies a need to get back in shape for participation. A marathon runner doesn't show up on the starting line in Boston without months of preparation. Even marathons are not without incident.
Is our approach to the outdoor activities we enjoy too casual? Are we thorough in our preparation or do we become overanxious in our desire to open the season and overlook proper preparation to safely enjoy the activity? It would be interesting to compare the opening of the season for each outdoor activity to its closing, to observe any change in the incident rate. It is already proven that more accidents happen on our highways during the first snowfall of the season than during the last storm in the spring.
All the training and preparation doesn't completely eliminate the element of risk inherent in any activity outside of our element. The mountain men of early America were more prepared for many of the activities we attempt on weekends because they were in their element. We are not.
Riding ATVs requires a level of skill that is tragically overlooked. The activity is not one that can be casually approached. It is not the machine that is dangerous but the irresponsible rider who is not safely participating in an outdoor activity.
As an ATV enthusiast, I regret each and every accident, and especially each and every death that occurs in our great out-of-doors. I urge everyone who seeks to be involved in activities outside their normal element to prepare for the season. Know and participate in all the safe practices and preparation related to the activity you choose. We all want to come home from an outing full of excitement and good memories and not full of regrets and thoughts of what we should have done.
Lynn R. Blamires is president of the Northern Utah ATV Trail Riders.
All-terrain vehicles have been singled out in numerous press accounts this month as being extremely dangerous. Accidents involving ATVs have been the cause of several tragic deaths, including that of former U.S. Rep. Bill Orton, while others have been seriously injured.
One writer suggested that ATVs are dangerous even when people ride them carefully. A critical review of the accidents this spring reveals an element of carelessness in every case. Whether it is the unfamiliar nature of our sand dunes, riding double on machines not designed for two, riding too fast on unfamiliar trails or allowing an inexperienced rider to use a machine, people are not being careful, and the results have been fatal.
Should ATVs be singled out as an exclusive target? Let's look at other outdoor activities. Several incidents have occurred this year where rescue crews have been called out to get people off mountains. Hikers have gone out unprepared for changing elements and have suffered as a result. People have been caught in storms while driving cars or trucks in the backcountry. Hunting accidents happen every year. Snowmobile accidents are in the news every winter. Skiing accidents and even deaths on our winter mountains are not uncommon. Incidents have also been reported in the use of ultra-light aircraft and hang gliders. I maintain that there is a level of training and skill required in all outdoor activities to reduce the risk.
The common denominator in all of these events is the lack of experience when participating in activities outside of our element. As our Utah seasons change, the activities associated with each season come to life. The fact that there has been a season of dormancy for each activity implies a need to get back in shape for participation. A marathon runner doesn't show up on the starting line in Boston without months of preparation. Even marathons are not without incident.
Is our approach to the outdoor activities we enjoy too casual? Are we thorough in our preparation or do we become overanxious in our desire to open the season and overlook proper preparation to safely enjoy the activity? It would be interesting to compare the opening of the season for each outdoor activity to its closing, to observe any change in the incident rate. It is already proven that more accidents happen on our highways during the first snowfall of the season than during the last storm in the spring.
All the training and preparation doesn't completely eliminate the element of risk inherent in any activity outside of our element. The mountain men of early America were more prepared for many of the activities we attempt on weekends because they were in their element. We are not.
Riding ATVs requires a level of skill that is tragically overlooked. The activity is not one that can be casually approached. It is not the machine that is dangerous but the irresponsible rider who is not safely participating in an outdoor activity.
As an ATV enthusiast, I regret each and every accident, and especially each and every death that occurs in our great out-of-doors. I urge everyone who seeks to be involved in activities outside their normal element to prepare for the season. Know and participate in all the safe practices and preparation related to the activity you choose. We all want to come home from an outing full of excitement and good memories and not full of regrets and thoughts of what we should have done.
Lynn R. Blamires is president of the Northern Utah ATV Trail Riders.
posted by Crowdog at
5:25 AM
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