South Florida ATV Safety Tips

All-terrain vehicles or ATVs are very common and popular here in the State of Florida. While ATVs can be a practical way to drive around in the woods or other areas, these vehicles can cause some serious injuries. ATVs can travel at speeds over 60 miles per hour and they weigh over 600 pounds. According to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, from 1982-2011, there was over 480 deaths due to ATV accidents. If every individual, who drove an ATV, would take the appropriate safety precautions, the number of deaths reported would decrease at a substantial rate.

First, anyone driving and ATV or riding on an ATV should wear a helmet. Just like riding a bicycle or riding on a motorcycle, wearing a helmet provides significant protection for your skull and, in the event of a fall or crash, will help pad the impact on your head. In addition to wearing a helmet, it is recommended to wear goggles, a long sleeve shirt, and long pants in order to protect yourself from rocks or debris that gets kicked up and can cause cuts and bruises.

Second, do not allow children to drive adult ATVs. There are special ATVs that are designed for children that are smaller in size and not as heavy. Next, do not drive the ATV on a paved road. ATVs are not designed to be driven on paved road and they are not equipped with the proper safety features that a car is equipped with. Lastly, it is always a good idea to take a safety class before driving an ATV. These course can be taught by safety institutes and they teach inexperienced drivers how to handle incidents of when an ATV is going out of control. As with any motor vehicle, it is never a good idea to drive an ATV while you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

If you’ve been involved in an ATV accident in Stuart, West Palm Beach, Jupiter, or the surrounding areas, be sure to contact Donaldson & Weston to protect your rights.