1、All Terrain Vehicle Safety Refresher,Growing in Popularity,Since their introduction, the use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) has increased dramatically each year. In addition to widespread recreational use, the agricultural sector has realized the value of the ATV as a workhorse. Unfortunately, fatal
2、ities and injuries involving ATVs are occurring at an alarming rate. The last statistics have over 50,000 injuries in ATV-related accidents. Many of these needless accidents could have been prevented by knowing and following a few steps for safe ATV use.,Personal Protective Equipment,Personal Protec
3、tive Equipment,Helmet - the most important piece of protective gear in preventing serious head injuries. Select a helmet that bears the label of either the Department of Transportation, the American National Standards Institute or the Snell Memorial Foundation. The helmet should fit snugly and be se
4、curely fastened. Full-face helmets protect your face as well as your head. Open-face types are lighter and cooler, but should be used with a chin guard that will offer chin and mouth protection.,Personal Protective Equipment,Eye protection - A must. If an object hits you in the face, such as a rock,
5、 branch or even a bug, it will distract you and may cause blindness if it hits you in the eyes. Regular sunglasses do not provide adequate protection. The helmets face shield or a pair of riding goggles will protect your eyes properly. Select well-ventilated goggles that can be securely fastened and
6、 are free from scratches.,Personal Protective Equipment,Gloves - Gloves provide protection from abrasions and help to keep your hands from getting sore, tired or cold. Off-road style motorcycle gloves provide a good combination of protection and comfort Boots - At a minimum, riders should wear a pai
7、r of boots that lace above the ankle for ankle support, with low heels to help prevent the boot from slipping off the footrests.,Personal Protective Equipment,Shirt and pants - At a minimum, a long-sleeved shirt and long pants should be worn to reduce abrasions on the body.,True story from Air Educa
8、tion and Training Commands monthly safety magazine,A 20-year-old airman first class sped along a trail near his parents home on a four-wheeled all-terrain vehicle. Zipping along at about 20 to 25 mph, he hit a bump on the trail. He felt the rear tires begin to rise off the ground but didnt have time
9、 to react. The rear “wheely” threw him off the ATV. But the vehicles momentum hadnt stopped. It flipped over on top of the airmans head and face. You had to wonder if the instant before the ATV slammed into his dome, he thought, “Duh, I should have worn a helmet. .” But alas, he didnt. The ATV broke
10、 his jaw. Two reconstructive operations later to repair the fracture left him sipping his dinners through a straw. He spent six days in the hospital and 14 days on convalescent leave. The injury cost $8,046. A helmet and a more appropriate speed or better awareness of the terrain would have been muc
11、h cheaper . and less painful!,Pre-Check the Equipment,Pre-Ride Inspection,Tires - Always maintain the recommended tire pressure consistently in each tire. If the tires on your ATV have unequal pressure, the ATV will pull toward the tire with the least air pressure. Most automotive tire pressure gaug
12、es will not accurately measure the low pressure typically used in ATV tires. A gauge designed for low pressure should be used. Wheel lug nuts should be checked to make sure they are tight. Grasp each tire at the front and rear, then try to rock the tire on its axle to check for worn-out axle bearing
13、s and loose nuts. Always use a torque wrench while following the tightening procedures and specifications for all fasteners outlined in your operators manual,Pre-Ride Inspection,Throttle - Check throttle operation while moving the handlebars fully to the left and then fully to the right. An accumula
14、tion of mud and dirt can restrict cable movement and prevent the throttle from closing. Brakes - Your brakes are a crucial part of riding and they must always be in top condition. Make sure they work smoothly and that they are in adjustment according to the instructions in the owners manual.,Pre-Rid
15、e Inspection,Light and switches - Be sure all lights are working. Check engine stop switches by switching them off and on during the warm-up period. Oil and fuel - Check the oil and fuel with the engine off. Look for fuel or oil leaks.,Pre-Ride Inspection,Drivetrain and chassis Inspect your chain fo
16、r proper adjustment, adequate lubrication and signs of wear. If your ATV is equipped with a drive shaft rather than a chain, check for oil leaks and maintain its oil supply as outlined in your owners manual. Rough terrain will loosen chassis parts. Look and feel for loose parts while the engine is o
17、ff. Shake handlebars, footrests and other similar components before each ride, and periodically check major fasteners with a wrench. The operators manual should be read and understood before attempting to operate your ATV. It will contain specifications and procedures that apply directly to your mod
18、el and should be considered as the final authority for safe operation of your ATV. Such information may include tire inflation pressures, torque specifications for fasteners, oil types and service intervals, battery maintenance, or brake adjustment and service.,Driving the ATV,The “Do-Not” part,No r
19、iding on roads No passengers,The “Do-Not” part,No children and teenagers under the age of 18Children do not always have the weight, limb size , skill and judgment to control an ATV safely,The “Do-Not” part,No horse-playing and wear protective equipments!,Turns,Low-speed turns require that you shift
20、your body weight forward and to the outside of the turn as you turn the handlebar. The objective is to reduce weight on the inside rear wheel. For turns at higher speeds, you must lean your upper body toward the inside of the turn while keeping your weight on the outer footrest. T is balances the hi
21、gher cornering forces as vehicle speed increases. If your ATV starts tipping during a turn at any speed, lean your upper body farther into the turn while gradually reducing the throttle and making the turn wider,Braking,Begin the braking process by releasing the throttle and shifting to a lower gear
22、 well in advance of the intended stopping point. With this method, the engine helps to slow your ATV. Applying brakes smoothly and evenly will bring your ATV to its quickest stop. Apply brakes lightly on slippery surfaces. When descending a hill, shift to a lower gear for engine braking rather than
23、riding the brakes for an extended period of time.,Climbing,When approaching a hill, you should keep both feet firmly on the footrests and shift your body weight forward by sliding forward on the seat. For steep hills, stand on the footrests and lean forward to shift as much weight forward as possibl
24、e. To reduce the chance of stalling the engine, climb hills in a low gear. If the engine does stall, you must apply the brakes before the forward motion stops. I your ATV stalls and then rolls backward, apply brakes slowly. Rapidly applying brakes during a backward roll can cause a rear overturn,Des
25、cending,Before descending a hill, you should shift the transmission into a low gear and point the ATV directly downhill. Keep both feet firmly on the footrests and slide back on the seat to increase your stability and the effectiveness of the brakes,Riding Across Slopes,Avoid crossing steep slopes a
26、nd slopes where there is slippery or bumpy terrain. If you do ride across slopes, keep both feet firmly on the footrests and lean your body uphill. If the ATV begins to tip, turn the front wheels downhill. If the terrain prohibits your turning downhill, dismount on the uphill side immediately,Be Safe. The End. P.S. Dont forget the quiz,
