Compromises Reached on Proposed Oregon ATV Law!
The Injury Blog recently detailed a proposed Oregon ATV law (Senate Bill 101) requiring permits for riders age seven and older. A recent online story on TheWorldlink.com detailed how ATV enthusiasts and those concerned about ATV safety have reached several agreements on this legislation, which would have originally banned children under the age of 12 from riding ATVs as a means to prevent serious personal injuries and even deaths. These compromises include requiring mandatory safety training courses for minors and their parents and disallowing children ages six and under from riding on these vehicles.
ATV safety advocates had originally proposed this bill to prevent anyone under 12 from riding these vehicles in the wake of fatal ATV accidents involving children. However, after ATV enthusiasts complained that this type of law would hurt the burgeoning Oregon ATV industry, a group of riders, dealers and safety advocates reached several agreements.
• Children six years and under can not ride on these vehicles.
• Older children may ride ATVs if they have a guardian’s supervision and a state-issued permit, which would only be obtainable after successfully completing the mandatory safety course with their parents.
• Children would have to ride on properly sized ATVs. Rules determining what is a properly-sized ATV for a child rider would be written by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Portland ATV dealer Gary Sargent helped negotiate the bill and said in the story that it makes more sense to look a the size of the vehicle rather the child’s age.
The story added that this proposed Oregon ATV law has the most decent chance of passing this session. As detailed here last week, an Oregon ATV helmet proposal has stalled. We’ll keep you update on the latest developments with this proposed Oregon ATV law, Senate Bill 101.