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LEGISLATURE LOOKING AT ATV LEGISLATION |
| (01/05/2007) |
| For the third year in a row the number of people killed in ATV accidents hit record numbers in West Virginia. At least 54 people were killed in accidents involving ATVs in 2006. Forty people were killed in 2005, and 37 died in 2004. West Virginia has allowed ATVs on most of the state's paved roads, although the vehicles are not "road ready" and are considered safety risks on paved roads by their manufacturers. Over half of the 2006 accidents occurred on paved roads. Ten of the year's fatalities were younger than 18 years old. West Virginia has the nation's highest ATV-related per capita death rate. An interim legislative committee has studied the issue. "We hope to receive the recommendations from that interim committee in a couple of days and act upon those in the session that starts on January 10th," said Senator Mike Oliverio of Monongalia County. As part of the interim study, a State Police report calls for lawmakers to ban ATVs on all paved roads. State Troopers also recommend all ATV riders be required to wear helmets, a requirement that now only applies to riders under the age of 18. An additional recommendation would mandate visible registration stickers for all ATVs. "One of the priorities I've seen all along is improving the safety and training programs for the young people across our state," said Senator Oliverio. "I've always believed we needed a comprehensive safety training program that will help children understand the risks associated with riding ATVs and the many steps they can take to help protect themselves against serious injury or against death," he said.
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