|
An earlier report indicating 17 West Virginian's had died on ATV's has been increased
to 21 by Jim Helmkamp, the Director of West Virginia University's Center for Rural
Medicine.
Last year the death total was 25, among the highest in America. A few weeks ago,
three 13 year olds died in separate accidents in a single week.
Helmkamp said poor decision making and poor supervision led to most of the deaths,
having riders wear helmets and keeping the vehicles off paved roads, for which he
said they are not intended, would help.
Many of the deaths resulted in having passengers on the ATV's, which make them
unstable. He said owners convince themselves it is o.k.
Many ATV accidents are not reported as such in the state's emergency rooms.
West Virginia has declined to pass laws regulating ATV's because of property right
issues and lobbying by sellers and users of the recreational vehicles.
There is no specific law not allowing ATV's on public roads, except the interstates,
although some towns have now banned them. There are no helmet laws or laws
disallowing passengers.
Gov. Bob Wise says legislation regarding the recreational vehicles will be presented
this coming session. The legislature has been unable to deal with the problem for the
past eight sessions.
| 
