PC: Fox 11 Online
WISCONSIN (WTAQ) — Following an incident last week in Brown County where a child died in an ATV accident, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is reminding the public of some safety tips.
Generally, ATV/UTV operators and passengers should wear a properly fastened DOT-approved ATV or motorcycle helmet. This is required for any operators or passengers under age 18 in Wisconsin. Also, all UTV operators and passengers must have their seatbelt fastened at all times.
Anyone who operates an ATV on public riding areas and is at least age 12 years old and who was born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, must have completed an ATV safety certification course. For UTVs, operators must be at least 16 years old.
DNR Recreation Warden Joseph Mulrooney says he has seen a lot of instances where parents ride on an ATV with their child to teach them how to operate the vehicle. However, ATV’s are made for only one rider, and having any more is illegal.
He added that there are child-sized ATV’s that are much better suited for kids and their safety needs; and easier to learn on with adult supervision.
“One of the best ideas is to get one of those smaller ATV’s that can’t go very fast,” said Mulrooney. “Parents can demonstrate some things like leaning into turns, how to apply the accelerator, how to apply breaks, or maybe set up some slight curves in their yard.”
You can learn more about safety requirements for ATV/UTV use in Wisconsin by clicking here.
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