Contest brings to light the importance of ATV safety
Friday, April 1, 2016
Oklahoma 4-H’ers and FFA members have an opportunity to use their creativity to help prevent an injury or even death.
Youth ages 9 to 18 in these organizations can participate in the “Do the Ride Thing” ATV Safety Public Service Announcement Contest, which is sponsored by Larry and Mary Peck with Ag Youth Magazine.
Mike Klumpp, ATV safety coordinator for the Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development program, said this contest is designed to inform and motivate everyone who rides an ATV to follow safe and responsible guidelines while operating the vehicle.
“ATVs are very popular recreational vehicles, and with the weather getting warmer, more and more people will be riding them. However, understanding the importance of safe and responsible riding techniques is essential for both riders and nonriders,” Klumpp said. “It’s vital to know the fundamentals to keep yourself, your family and your friends as safe as possible. The purpose of this contest is to help raise awareness about ATV safety.”
4-H’ers and FFA members are encouraged to create a 15-, 30- or 60-second video public service announcement highlighting the importance of riding safely and responsibly. Entries should demonstrate the safe and responsible use of ATVs.
Participants will be divided into three age groups, including 9-12 years old, 13-15 years old and 16-18 years old. Each age category will offer cash awards of $300, $200 and $100 for first, second and third place, respectively. An overall winner also will be selected and will win a $600 cash award. All age groups are eligible for the overall award. Entries are due by June 30 and winners will be announced in July. Entry forms and all other information about the “Do the Ride Thing” ATV Safety PSA Contest are available at http://4h.okstate.edu/projects/safety/atv-safety.
“ATVs are popular in Oklahoma and nationwide and used for many different recreational activities. There are more than 35 million riders operating over 10 million ATVs in the United States, so it’s imperative riders are equipped with the knowledge of responsible ATV operation,” Klumpp said. “Currently, through the Oklahoma 4-H Youth Development program, we have offered ATV safety programs in 64 counties across the state and have 99 Extension educators trained in classroom ATV safety curriculum.”
To date, more than 10,500 youth have participated in two or more hours of classroom ATV safety education, and nearly 3,400 youth have completed the ATV Safety Institute’s online e-course.
Klumpp stressed the importance of ATV safety because according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission data, 92 percent of all ATV-related fatalities are the result of warned-against, unsafe behaviors.
“Young riders, who often have more time to ride ATVs in the summer, are especially vulnerable to certain types of crashes when not following proper safety rules,” he said. “Oklahoma averages between 18 and 22 ATV-related deaths each year and ranks between 15th and 20th in the nation for ATV fatalities. Just in the past six years, 569 patients were admitted to the OU Medical Center Trauma One Hospital for injuries sustained in an ATV accident. Research shows by wearing the proper gear and consistent use of helmets could reduce ATV-related deaths by 40 percent or more and nonfatal head injuries by more than 60 percent. That’s why this contest is so important. It’s an opportunity for our 4-H and FFA youth to spread the message about ATV safety. It would save a life.”
For more information about the contest, please contact Ag Youth Magazine at 580-445-1360, or Klumpp at 405-657-7444 or email at mklumpp.osu@gmail.com.