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On September 8, 2009, two people were injured involved in an all-terrain vehicle crash near Blue Grass, Iowa. The incident occurred at approximately 7:52 p.m. in a farm field in Blue Grass, Iowa, according to the Scott County Sheriff’s Department.

The two men were injured when the Yamaha Rhino ATV they were operating rolled down an embankment, and they were ejected from the vehicle. Neither man was wearing a seat belt nor helmet, according to Scott County deputies.

The accident remains under investigation by the Scott County Sheriff’s Department.

Often manufacturing defects are the main culprit of ATV accidents. More and more, you hear in the news about another ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) accident that often causes a fatality.

For example, in rural Nebraska, ATV accidents have become the number one cause of agricultural fatalities. From 2004 through 2007, one-third of agricultural fatalities involved ATVs. The trend prompted the University of Nebraska Extension last year to hold ATV training sessions across the state.

The Consumer Product Safety Safety Commission (CPSC) reported last year that serious injuries because of ATV crashes have increased for eight years in a row to a total of 150,900 in 2007. Since 2001, the number of injuries serious enough to require emergency room treatment has risen by 37 percent. Nationwide, at least 542 ATV fatalities were reported.

The Yamaha Rhino ATV, which has side-by-side seating for the driver and a passenger, has been targeted by lawsuits alleging that it is unstable and prone to rollovers. Yamaha has offered free repairs to improve safety.

Safety experts are particularly concerned about the number of ATV accidents involving children. About one-third of injuries and deaths happen to children age 16 or younger.

Because safety rules are so prevalent in today’s society, some people may not be attuned to the need to evaluate the risks of operating an ATV.

Now that summer is here, the off road riding season is in full gear, and the number of reports to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) of injuries and deaths involving these vehicles increases every years.  The CPSC urges all riders and passengers to remain vigilant about safety before hitting the trails and while off-roading.

CPSC’s safety message is especially targeted at Yamaha Rhino drivers and passengers. In March 2009, a free vehicle repair and helmet giveaway was offered to all owners of Rhino model 450, 660 and 700 ROVs, in order to enhance stability and reduce the potential for rollover, as well as improve occupant protection. About 145,000 vehicles were affected, and we urge every owner to act now to bring their Rhino into a Yamaha dealership for the free upgrades.

CPSC believes that in order to provide a safer ride, all Rhinos must have half-doors, additional passenger handholds, spacers on the rear wheels, and the rear anti-sway bar removed.  Consumers should immediately stop using Rhino ROVs until the repairs are installed by a dealer. While these repairs will improve the safety of these vehicles, the repairs alone are not enough. Owners of vehicles should be sure that riders and passengers:

• wear their seat belt properly every time,
• strap on their helmet every time,
• follow on-product warnings,
• never remove the half-doors,
• never allow a child younger than 16 to drive,
• never allow a child to be a passenger if he/she is unable to place both feet on the floorboard with his/her back against the seat, and
• only operate off-road—the Rhino is not designed for use on public roads or paved surfaces.

Improving the safety system of the vehicle, combined with occupant attention to safe riding practices, will lead to reduced deaths and injuries.

As of June 23, 2009, CPSC staff has received reports of nearly 60 fatalities involving the 450, 660 and 700 models of the Yamaha Rhino. A number of very serious injuries have also been reported, including injuries to the head and neck, and incidents requiring surgical amputation of victims’ arms, legs, and fingers. Many of these cases appear to have involved rollovers at relatively low speeds and on level terrain.

For additional information on the free Rhino repair program, contact Yamaha at 800-962-7926 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.yamaha-motor.com. To report consumer product related incidents contact CPSC’s Hotline at 1-800-628-2772 or visit CPSC’s website at www.cpsc.gov