The biggest killer of ATV drivers
All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) are becoming more popular every year. So are accidents. Several hundred cyclists are killed and more than 100,000 injured annually. Causes range from equipment defects to nature not cooperating. But by far the main cause is rider error.
The cyclist’s mistake may be the lack of proper equipment. The helmet is the most important thing, but cyclists often assume that a baseball cap will protect them from harm. Goggles prevent eye injuries from debris and branches. Long sleeves and gloves prevent abrasions.
Many drivers have never looked at the warning labels on the fenders that warn them not to carry two passengers unless the ATV is designed for it. Having the rear end overloaded is a surefire way to precipitate a backflip going up a hill. Or they will travel on the roads and get hit by a car. Or they will be drinking alcohol and bad judgment will prevail.
Many times children are on all-terrain vehicles (sometimes called quads) that are too big or powerful to drive. They are even more prone than adults to attempt extreme manoeuvres, climbing inclines or traversing unsafe terrain. Too often, this results in tragedy.
Much of this can be remedied by taking safety courses that manufacturers offer for free when you buy a new quad. Surprisingly, only about a third of new clients take up the offer.
As far as killing cyclists, there is one situation that causes the overwhelming majority of deaths. That’s a flip. Quads can weigh anywhere from 350 to over 900 pounds. One on top of a rider can easily pin you in the sand or mud, or even underwater or against a tree. But many times, their skulls are crushed or their bones or spine broken.
One might think that this will generally only happen if the rider is riding along a narrow trail, but that thought is incorrect. In fact, 75% of all major accidents occur loading and unloading from a pickup truck or high trailer. Why is this?
Usually, ramps are used for the wheels of the quad to move when going up or down. On a trailer, it’s easy to move slightly the wrong way and off where there is no ramp. However, many times the ramps are short and the tailgate of the truck is high. This means a steep angle of ascent which is difficult. But even when longer ramps are used, there can be a problem.
What happens is that as the quad goes up the ramp, the wheels try to rotate the ramp away from the tailgate. When this happens, there is a gap at the top of the ramps and they fall off. At that point, the front wheels of the quad may be on the tailgate and the rear wheels fall off, causing the quad to do a backflip and often landing on top of the rider. If only one ramp drops, the quad falls backwards and to the sides, which isn’t much easier on the rider.
When the quad is unloaded, it is removed from the truck, and as your weight (remember, you increase the weight since it’s on the seat) is transferred to the ramps, the tailgate rises, leaving a gap in the back of the truck. top of the ramp Then the ramp falls. Now if the rider is way down the ramp and close to the ground then maybe there is no foul. But if the rider is still up high, or falls off the side of the ramp, then again the quad flips backwards and/or sideways and lands on the rider. And, let me tell you, even if you’re not crushed, you still get really excited!
The easiest way to prevent this upload/download hazard is quite simple, yet it is surprisingly often ignored. It is for using retaining straps or chain to hold the ramps against the tailgate. The most effective way is to place them near the top of the ramp and as straight as possible towards the truck or bumper. If you’re using nylon straps, you should check them regularly to make sure they don’t pull apart.
It is also a good habit to wear a helmet during this maneuver, for obvious reasons.
Remember, three-quarters of all serious injuries occur while loading and unloading, so if you’re not on a trailer low to the ground where you can safely push your quad, then use the straps.
Sure accidents can ruin your day.
Ron Kelly