ATV deaths and injuries continue to outpace safety efforts.One of the most frustrating frus·tratetr.v. frus·trat·ed, frus·trat·ing, frus·trates 1. a. To prevent from accomplishing a purpose or fulfilling a desire; thwart: safety issues to confront the CPSC CPSC Consumer Product Safety Commission (US) CPSC Computer Science (course) CPSC Canadian Plastics Sector Council (Ottawa, ON, Canada) CPSC Chemical Processing Safety Committee has been the risk of death and injury from riding ATVs (All-Terrain Vehicles all-ter·rain vehicle n. Abbr. ATV A small, open motor vehicle having one seat and three or more wheels fitted with large tires. It is designed chiefly for recreational use over roadless, rugged terrain. ). Commissioners held a regional public hearing on ATV (1) (Advanced TV) An early name for the digital TV standard proposed by the Advisory Committee on Advanced Television Service (ACATS). See ACATS. See also ATV Forum. (2) (Analog TV) Refers to the NTSC, PAL and SECAM analog TV standads. safety in Morgantown, West Virginia West Virginia, E central state of the United States. It is bordered by Pennsylvania and Maryland (N), Virginia (E and S), and Kentucky and, across the Ohio R., Ohio (W). Facts and Figures Area, 24,181 sq mi (62,629 sq km). Pop. , June 5. From reports from those who attended, no one came up with specific causes or solutions to the high risk of injury on ATVs. Latest reports indicate that from 1997 to 2001, the estimated number of ATV-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms rose from 54,700 to 111,700--an increase of 104 percent. Injuries to children under 16 rose by 57 percent. While the number of drivers and driving hours rose and the estimated number of ATVs in use also rose, it is said that the data still do not explain the steep rise in injuries over that 1997-2001 time period. (12) Some believe the increased number of injuries is related to the large increase in the size of ATV engines in use--ATVs with engine sizes greater than 400 cubic centimeters cu·bic centimeter n. Abbr. cc A unit of volume equal to one thousandth (10-3) of a liter or to one milliliter. , for example. Injuries to kids under 16 occurred most frequently when they were driving ATVs larger than the recommended size for this group--(90 CCS (1) (Common Channel Signaling) A communications system in which one channel is used for signaling and different channels are used for voice/data transmission. Signaling System 7 (SS7) is a CCS system, also known as CCS7. See SS7. .) (13) A recent tragic accident near Washington DC, in Prince George's County, MD, seems to confirm that part of the data. A 14 year-old boy, Carlton Powell, Jr., took a ride on a Yamaha FX 250 cc, which was intended only for people 18 and older, and died when the he lost control of the 4-wheeler and it landed on top of him. (14) Both ATV advocates and opponents are passionate about their views on what should be done about the problem, but it may be that CPSC has done all it can do. The consent agreement between CPSC and ATV distributors has expired, but most distributors still comply with its terms through voluntary agreements with the agency. There is movement toward licensing and registration of ATVs in some states. More training and limits on the size of vehicles for youngsters makes good sense. But CPSC's role, other than in collecting data, seems to be exhausted. (12) From "All Terrain Vehicles," Consumer Product Safety Review, Summer 2003, Vol. 8, No. 1, U.S. CPSC. (13) Ibid. (14) Stockwell, James, "Tragedy Renews Concern Over Young Teens, ATVs," The Washington Post, July 22, 2003. |
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