ATV Dangers – Units Recalled

Late last week, Baja Motor Sports of Phoenix in conjunction with the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall for 16,000 all terrain vehicles marketed for children as young as 12. The Baja 90, Baja Wilderness 90 and Baja Wilderness 90U four-wheel ATVs were recalled because they are missing a tire pressure gauge and a flagpole mounting bracket. Although neither the CPSC nor the company reported any injuries, they did consider the lack of the items to be a potential danger. These particular vehicles were sold on line and at retail outlets such as Pep Boys between November 2004 and July of this year.
In May, another Chinese-made ATV was recalled because it lacked a stop-engine switch and other safety features.
Competitors have raised safety concerns about Chinese-made ATVs. Established ATV manufacturers contend that the cheaper imported ATVs, which are making up a growing share of the U.S. market, are less likely to meet voluntary safety standards adopted by the domestic industry. As a result, the larger ATV manufacturers are lobbying Congress to make the current voluntary safety standards mandatory.
It is estimated that approximately 22 million people ride ATVs in the United States. In 2005, more than 40,000 children under 16 were hurt and at least 120 were killed in ATV accidents according to the Consumer Federation of America.