Post by Wyldcomfort on May 18, 2007 6:01:16 GMT -5
In 2002, Bluewater Network – a division of Friends of the Earth, along with the Consumer Federation of America and the Natural Trails and Waters Coalition released a report on the alarming number of deaths and injuries among children that occurred as a result of ATV use. Three years have passed and the numbers continue to climb. See the Consumer Federation of America fact sheet for a comprehensive analysis of the crisis.
Recently, the Consumer Product Safety Commission moved forward with a rulemaking process to address the critical safety issues associated with ATVs. Send an email to the CPSC today and urge them to:
All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Safety Crisis: America’s Children at Risk Issue a mandatory rule that prohibits the sale of adult-size ATVs for use by children under age 16
Oppose efforts to develop a new generation of larger, faster and more powerful ATVs (so-called "transitional ATVs") for older children
Evaluate the substance of ATV training programs to ensure that necessary information and skills are being communicated
Require that death and injury information from the most recently available CPSC Annual Report on ATV-Related Deaths and Injuries be communicated to ATV purchasers at the point of sale
The comment deadline is December 13, 2005 so please send your letter today!
With your help, we are making a difference!
-- Your friends at Bluewater Network – a divsion of Friends of the Earth
Wanted to pass on a very good letter I received last night....Pretty deep and way cool. Wow to say the least - nice job Terry!
Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2007 9:49 PM
Subject: Re: Oregonian
I have carefully, like thousands of others, monitored and read the recently published articles describing the negative aspect of ATV riding. In trying to understand the motivation behind these obviously misrepresented stories, I have concluded that the reporter had no intention of reporting accurate newsworthy data. In fact, very carefully maneuvered facts are strategically placed throughout the articles to convey a strong message, albeit one that is only clear to the untrained or misinformed. That is how you sway public opinion.
For example, Mr. Steve Cowden of the Oregonian posts an impressive ATV chart that addresses the term “Rideractive”: meaning it’s up to the rider to keep ATV’s upright using balance and skill. The inference is clear that he wants you to believe that controlled body contortions and skill are a unique quality necessary for safe ATV operation due to inherently negative safety characteristics. I am unclear as to how this would be any different than many other forms of physical recreation, such as skiing, bicycling or other recreational sports that requires similar skillsets.
He adds that high ground clearance and narrow track width makes ATV’s less stable than cars and SUV’s and present an overturn event possibility. Yet, basic engineering review of a traditional sport ATV, such as the very popular Kawasaki KFX450R, clearly shows that the vertical CG centroid is at approximately 30 inches, with some tradeoff based on rider weight and sitting height. This cursory analysis is based on utilizing standard OEM data points that include an overall weight of nearly 380 pounds, a wheelbase of 71 inches, wheel width of 46 inches and a seat height at 30 inches. Then the consideration of placing a typical 180 pound rider with an upper torso dimension of 36 inches and a static seating compression stance of 26 inches overall. Further offset tradeoff can be attained dependent on wheel/tire changes, weight changes and rider dimensions. The depicted ATV stance is not what primarily contributes to potential stability issues versus the characteristics of the suspension design and final drivetrain, ie. IRS, differential, chain drive and axle configuration.
He also provides that sport models can weigh up to 600 pounds (chart establishes minimal weight at 400 pounds for this category ATV) indicating that significant weights are a factor in suffocation and crushing during rollover events. First of all, nearly all major four manufacturers create sport ATV’s that weigh LESS than 400 pounds, the standard being 300 to 370 (Blaster to Raptor comparison and average) and the existence of a 600 pound sport ATV is an oddity, not the norm. If weights are to be a consideration, then please rely on accurate values in performing dynamic analysis of rollover and impact load effects, if that is what the Oregonian intends.
Much of the remainder of document targets rider skills in order to maintain safe operation, which is a common theme in all things relevant to child safety, not necessarily isolated or unique to ATV characteristics.
Today’s article also provides “Now, Kyle's Law appears dead in Salem, and only one of four other ATV safety bills at the Legislature has a chance. The reasons illustrate why states have proved a poor alternative to weak federal regulation of ATVs, which are involved in more than 800 deaths and 136,000 injuries a year…..A quarter of the deaths and 30 percent of injuries are to children under 16. The results can be fatal….During the past seven years, at least 30 children under age 16 died in ATV accidents in Oregon and Washington…..The child deaths are among at least 162 ATV fatalities in the two states since 2000. More than 4,000 have been hospitalized with injuries.”
In some fairness, I wanted to initially assume the Oregonian's crusade was an effort to address a potentially significant safety issue affecting our children. When faced with obviously high numerical statistics as quoted above, it would be safe to assume that any reasonable and prudent person would view the death and injury numbers as significant. So, I accessed the CPSC’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS). The NEISS is a national probability sample of hospitals in the U.S. and its territories. Patient information is collected from each NEISS hospital for every emergency visit involving an injury associated with consumer products. From this sample, the total number of product-related injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms nationwide can be estimated.
The Oregonian’s values are essentially correct. Relevant data within the CPSC databases provide that an estimated 740 people died in 2003* in incidents associated with ATVs. In addition, in 2004* there were an estimated 136,100 emergency room treated injuries associated with ATVs. About a third of all deaths and injuries involved victims under 16 years old. The CPSC also reported that ridership has continued to grow, with 6.2 million 4-wheeled ATVs in use in 2003*.
(*These years are the latest years for which the relevant data are available with a more recent report to be finalized shortly)
So, in further fairness to the the investigating reporter as well as ATV enthusiasts, I picked on another incredibly popular sport enjoyed in Oregon……bicycling. According to various databases, over the past 10 years, bicycling has become extremely popular in the United States. It is a convenient and inexpensive method of travel, especially in large cities where traffic is congested and parking spaces are difficult to find. Many cities now recognize the increase in bike traffic and have constructed special bike lanes. Parks have now made trails accessible to bicycles. Even some vehicle manufacturers are now offering bike racks as standard equipment. Sadly, however, young bike riders haven't been educated on how to legally and safely share the roads with automobiles (sound similar?)
Uneducated bicyclists have resulted in some staggering statistics:
A bicyclist is fatally injured every 6 hours;
Nearly one million children are injured each year in bicycle related accidents;
Nearly half of all bicycle fatalities occur to children under the age of 16;
75% of all serious injuries and fatalities from bicycle accidents are from head injuries;
While collisions with cars account for only 1/3rd of all bicycle accidents, they account for the majority of catastrophic injuries and deaths.
Like ATV operators, under Oregon law bicycle riders are also subject to traffic laws as do motorists. If you are riding a bicycle, you are required to obey the traffic laws.
To further validate my analysis, I accessed the latest published CPSC report on bicycle injury statistics. According to a report by Gregory B. Rodgers, Ph.D. and Bicycle Project Manager, Directorate for Economic Analysis, bicycle riding is a risky activity, as indicated by the large numbers of injuries and deaths involving bicycles every year. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), there have been about one-half million nonfatal bicycle-related injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms every year since the early 1970s, when NEISS became operational. When other medically-attended injuries are counted, such as injuries treated in physicians' offices, there may be on the order of one million medically-attended injuries involving bicycles every year. ONE MILLION!! In addition, there are as many as 1,000 bicycle-related fatalities annually. The estimated costs of these injuries and deaths to society are high -- approximately $8 billion annually – and suggest that injury reduction strategies with even modest levels of effectiveness could prove to be cost-effective.
Just over half of all bicyclists (52 percent) are males. In addition, a large proportion of bicyclists are young. About 22 percent are under the age of 10 years and 40 percent are under age 15. Young bicyclists ride more than the average for all bicyclists. Riders under age 15 reportedly ride about 300 hours per year, about 50 percent more than the average reported for riders age 15 and older. Injured bicycle operators also tend to be younger than the general population of bicycle riders.
In all fairness, I also researched other child related injuries in fairly common activities. Here are some examples:
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 104,000 persons were treated in hospital emergency rooms in the year 2001, with skateboard related injuries. Sprains, fractures, contusions and abrasions were the most common types of injuries. Deaths due to collisions with cars and from falls also are reported.
In 1995, hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 162,100 children for baseball-related injuries.
Last year, over 40,000 people were taken to hospital emergency rooms in the U.S. because of injuries from riding scooters. Most of the injuries were to kids under 15!
The CPSC estimates that in 2001 there were 91,870 hospital emergency room-treated injuries associated with trampolines. About 93 percent of the victims were under 15 years of age, and 11 percent were under 5 years of age. Since 1990, CPSC has received reports of 6 deaths of children under age 15 involving trampolines.
Hard as I tried, I could not find an equivalent level of coverage and media attention placed on any of these equally, if not potentially greater, high risk issues. So, I am forced to wonder what the real motivation behind this elevated scrutiny is, especially when the same energy could be more suitably directed towards any of these common children activities. Are we being the victim of a hidden agenda? Or, are we the victim of media sensationalism at the sacrifice of ATV victims and ATV enthusiasts alike?
Hmmmmmmmm…………………
Recently, the Consumer Product Safety Commission moved forward with a rulemaking process to address the critical safety issues associated with ATVs. Send an email to the CPSC today and urge them to:
All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Safety Crisis: America’s Children at Risk Issue a mandatory rule that prohibits the sale of adult-size ATVs for use by children under age 16
Oppose efforts to develop a new generation of larger, faster and more powerful ATVs (so-called "transitional ATVs") for older children
Evaluate the substance of ATV training programs to ensure that necessary information and skills are being communicated
Require that death and injury information from the most recently available CPSC Annual Report on ATV-Related Deaths and Injuries be communicated to ATV purchasers at the point of sale
The comment deadline is December 13, 2005 so please send your letter today!
With your help, we are making a difference!
-- Your friends at Bluewater Network – a divsion of Friends of the Earth
Wanted to pass on a very good letter I received last night....Pretty deep and way cool. Wow to say the least - nice job Terry!
Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2007 9:49 PM
Subject: Re: Oregonian
I have carefully, like thousands of others, monitored and read the recently published articles describing the negative aspect of ATV riding. In trying to understand the motivation behind these obviously misrepresented stories, I have concluded that the reporter had no intention of reporting accurate newsworthy data. In fact, very carefully maneuvered facts are strategically placed throughout the articles to convey a strong message, albeit one that is only clear to the untrained or misinformed. That is how you sway public opinion.
For example, Mr. Steve Cowden of the Oregonian posts an impressive ATV chart that addresses the term “Rideractive”: meaning it’s up to the rider to keep ATV’s upright using balance and skill. The inference is clear that he wants you to believe that controlled body contortions and skill are a unique quality necessary for safe ATV operation due to inherently negative safety characteristics. I am unclear as to how this would be any different than many other forms of physical recreation, such as skiing, bicycling or other recreational sports that requires similar skillsets.
He adds that high ground clearance and narrow track width makes ATV’s less stable than cars and SUV’s and present an overturn event possibility. Yet, basic engineering review of a traditional sport ATV, such as the very popular Kawasaki KFX450R, clearly shows that the vertical CG centroid is at approximately 30 inches, with some tradeoff based on rider weight and sitting height. This cursory analysis is based on utilizing standard OEM data points that include an overall weight of nearly 380 pounds, a wheelbase of 71 inches, wheel width of 46 inches and a seat height at 30 inches. Then the consideration of placing a typical 180 pound rider with an upper torso dimension of 36 inches and a static seating compression stance of 26 inches overall. Further offset tradeoff can be attained dependent on wheel/tire changes, weight changes and rider dimensions. The depicted ATV stance is not what primarily contributes to potential stability issues versus the characteristics of the suspension design and final drivetrain, ie. IRS, differential, chain drive and axle configuration.
He also provides that sport models can weigh up to 600 pounds (chart establishes minimal weight at 400 pounds for this category ATV) indicating that significant weights are a factor in suffocation and crushing during rollover events. First of all, nearly all major four manufacturers create sport ATV’s that weigh LESS than 400 pounds, the standard being 300 to 370 (Blaster to Raptor comparison and average) and the existence of a 600 pound sport ATV is an oddity, not the norm. If weights are to be a consideration, then please rely on accurate values in performing dynamic analysis of rollover and impact load effects, if that is what the Oregonian intends.
Much of the remainder of document targets rider skills in order to maintain safe operation, which is a common theme in all things relevant to child safety, not necessarily isolated or unique to ATV characteristics.
Today’s article also provides “Now, Kyle's Law appears dead in Salem, and only one of four other ATV safety bills at the Legislature has a chance. The reasons illustrate why states have proved a poor alternative to weak federal regulation of ATVs, which are involved in more than 800 deaths and 136,000 injuries a year…..A quarter of the deaths and 30 percent of injuries are to children under 16. The results can be fatal….During the past seven years, at least 30 children under age 16 died in ATV accidents in Oregon and Washington…..The child deaths are among at least 162 ATV fatalities in the two states since 2000. More than 4,000 have been hospitalized with injuries.”
In some fairness, I wanted to initially assume the Oregonian's crusade was an effort to address a potentially significant safety issue affecting our children. When faced with obviously high numerical statistics as quoted above, it would be safe to assume that any reasonable and prudent person would view the death and injury numbers as significant. So, I accessed the CPSC’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS). The NEISS is a national probability sample of hospitals in the U.S. and its territories. Patient information is collected from each NEISS hospital for every emergency visit involving an injury associated with consumer products. From this sample, the total number of product-related injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms nationwide can be estimated.
The Oregonian’s values are essentially correct. Relevant data within the CPSC databases provide that an estimated 740 people died in 2003* in incidents associated with ATVs. In addition, in 2004* there were an estimated 136,100 emergency room treated injuries associated with ATVs. About a third of all deaths and injuries involved victims under 16 years old. The CPSC also reported that ridership has continued to grow, with 6.2 million 4-wheeled ATVs in use in 2003*.
(*These years are the latest years for which the relevant data are available with a more recent report to be finalized shortly)
So, in further fairness to the the investigating reporter as well as ATV enthusiasts, I picked on another incredibly popular sport enjoyed in Oregon……bicycling. According to various databases, over the past 10 years, bicycling has become extremely popular in the United States. It is a convenient and inexpensive method of travel, especially in large cities where traffic is congested and parking spaces are difficult to find. Many cities now recognize the increase in bike traffic and have constructed special bike lanes. Parks have now made trails accessible to bicycles. Even some vehicle manufacturers are now offering bike racks as standard equipment. Sadly, however, young bike riders haven't been educated on how to legally and safely share the roads with automobiles (sound similar?)
Uneducated bicyclists have resulted in some staggering statistics:
A bicyclist is fatally injured every 6 hours;
Nearly one million children are injured each year in bicycle related accidents;
Nearly half of all bicycle fatalities occur to children under the age of 16;
75% of all serious injuries and fatalities from bicycle accidents are from head injuries;
While collisions with cars account for only 1/3rd of all bicycle accidents, they account for the majority of catastrophic injuries and deaths.
Like ATV operators, under Oregon law bicycle riders are also subject to traffic laws as do motorists. If you are riding a bicycle, you are required to obey the traffic laws.
To further validate my analysis, I accessed the latest published CPSC report on bicycle injury statistics. According to a report by Gregory B. Rodgers, Ph.D. and Bicycle Project Manager, Directorate for Economic Analysis, bicycle riding is a risky activity, as indicated by the large numbers of injuries and deaths involving bicycles every year. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), there have been about one-half million nonfatal bicycle-related injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms every year since the early 1970s, when NEISS became operational. When other medically-attended injuries are counted, such as injuries treated in physicians' offices, there may be on the order of one million medically-attended injuries involving bicycles every year. ONE MILLION!! In addition, there are as many as 1,000 bicycle-related fatalities annually. The estimated costs of these injuries and deaths to society are high -- approximately $8 billion annually – and suggest that injury reduction strategies with even modest levels of effectiveness could prove to be cost-effective.
Just over half of all bicyclists (52 percent) are males. In addition, a large proportion of bicyclists are young. About 22 percent are under the age of 10 years and 40 percent are under age 15. Young bicyclists ride more than the average for all bicyclists. Riders under age 15 reportedly ride about 300 hours per year, about 50 percent more than the average reported for riders age 15 and older. Injured bicycle operators also tend to be younger than the general population of bicycle riders.
In all fairness, I also researched other child related injuries in fairly common activities. Here are some examples:
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 104,000 persons were treated in hospital emergency rooms in the year 2001, with skateboard related injuries. Sprains, fractures, contusions and abrasions were the most common types of injuries. Deaths due to collisions with cars and from falls also are reported.
In 1995, hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 162,100 children for baseball-related injuries.
Last year, over 40,000 people were taken to hospital emergency rooms in the U.S. because of injuries from riding scooters. Most of the injuries were to kids under 15!
The CPSC estimates that in 2001 there were 91,870 hospital emergency room-treated injuries associated with trampolines. About 93 percent of the victims were under 15 years of age, and 11 percent were under 5 years of age. Since 1990, CPSC has received reports of 6 deaths of children under age 15 involving trampolines.
Hard as I tried, I could not find an equivalent level of coverage and media attention placed on any of these equally, if not potentially greater, high risk issues. So, I am forced to wonder what the real motivation behind this elevated scrutiny is, especially when the same energy could be more suitably directed towards any of these common children activities. Are we being the victim of a hidden agenda? Or, are we the victim of media sensationalism at the sacrifice of ATV victims and ATV enthusiasts alike?
Hmmmmmmmm…………………