(Oklahoma) ATV Helmet Bill Defeated ------ UPDATED March 14, 2007 (MUST WEAR HELMETS)

*************** UPDATE ***************





March 05, 2007
Children on ATVs: Helmet proposal due vote in House

It's an altered version of an attempt that failed to make it to a vote on the House floor last year.

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Supporters of a controversial bill that would require children to wear helmets on ATVs are trying again to get the measure passed, despite a setback in the House last year.

The bill was passed by a House committee last week and now heads to the floor for a vote.

The bill has drawn criticism for placing the government in a parental role.

However, supporters say, it would save lives and help parents realize how dangerous ATVs, or all-terrain vehicles, can be.

Arlene Randall of Mustang pushed for passage of an ATV bill last year, and said that even though this year's legislation isn't as restrictive as the measure that failed to receive a floor vote last year, "something is better than nothing."

"We should have something in place to make us smarter about using ATVs," she said.

In September 2005, Arlene Randall's son, then 14-year-old Alex Randall, and his friends went to the North Canadian River to ride ATVs, just as they did nearly every evening and weekend.

However, as Alex tried to maneuver a jump on his four-wheeler, he flew headfirst over the handlebars,
she explained.

"He and the bike tumbled together," she said. Alex landed face down on the ground. The four-wheeler landed on top of him.

He was not wearing a helmet.

Alex's friends called for help and for his parents, who were just minutes away. The Randalls arrived at the scene just as a Medi-flight helicopter landed.

Alex suffered a traumatic brain injury, a liver laceration, bruising, facial fractures, and had fractures "up and down his spine," his mother said.

"It was almost like, what wasn't wrong with him?" she said, holding back tears as she recalled the day.

Alex had a helmet, his mother said, but he wasn't wearing it.

House Bill 1686, by Rep. Bill Nations, D-Norman, would require children younger than 18 years old to wear a helmet while riding on an ATV on public land, such as state parks.

It also would outlaw riding with a passenger, unless the ATV was designed to carry a second person.

The law carries a $25 fine and could be enforced by any peace officer, including park rangers.

The Oklahoma Health Department has backed the legislation, citing studies that show children are disproportionately killed in ATV-related crashes.

Between January and September last year, six Oklahoma children died in ATV crashes, according to the Health Department.

Helmets reduce deaths by 42 percent, the agency says, and nonfatal head injuries by 64 percent.

Several states have enacted varying degrees of ATV-related legislation, but such moves are controversial and have drawn criticism for being geared more toward protecting states from lawsuits rather than promoting safety.

"I've seen helmets save lives, that's not the issue" said Michael Revere, state coordinator of ABATE, a motorcyclists' rights and education organization.

However, he said, adults should be allowed to choose for themselves and their families whether they want to wear a helmet.

"The government doesn't need to function as a parent," Revere said, adding that many of the lawmakers' concerns, such as parents buying ATVs that are too powerful for their children, are already addressed by groups like the Consumer Products Safety Commission and dealers.

"Parents can decide what's best for their kids," he said.

The group also questions how the law could be enforced, since law enforcement is often not present on many public lands.

The government is becoming "way too intrusive in some areas,", said Revere, who is known as "Tiger Mike." He added that many bikers fear the ATV bill could turn into a backdoor attempt at mandating a universal helmet law for all motorcyclists in Oklahoma.

Article Reference: tulsaworld.com: News

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March 14, 2007

OKLAHOMA CITY Legislation to require children under 18 to wear helmets while riding all-terrain vehicles on public lands and trails moves a step closer to becoming law today when it receives strong bipartisan support in the Oklahoma House.

The House voted 82 to 16 for the measure that lawmakers say will prevent deaths and injuries to children involved in ATV mishaps in state and municipal parks. Eighteen people died on ATVs last year, including six under the age of 18.

ATV deaths in the state have steadily risen since 2000, when nine deaths were reported.

The measure is similar to a bill that was approved in the Senate last year but died in the House. House leaders said then they disagreed with guidelines that allowed law enforcement authorities to enforce the ATV regulations on private property.

The measure's author, Representative Bill Nations of Norman, says this year's version applies only to the state's 12 public parks and other public lands.

Article Reference: Child ATV riders must wear helmets under House-passed legislation

I have to say this..Since parents are responsible for there children until 18 yo, and some parents have no clue how dangerous ATV are. Im all for a law/REGULATIONS to cut deaths no matter what. The dumb ass parents who buy a way to big of ATV should have there heads looked at. Helmets are cheap insurance. I have a ATV, Im a grown adult, I have wrecked on it and the helmet saved me major hospital bills by having it on. I had an under aged child and she never..im mean never rode with out me there or a helmet. I get tired of hearing of the sinceless deaths of children. You parents who buy the ATV should be held accountable via fines and jail time and ATV education. I also believe that dealers hold some responsibility also albiet they might never know who the ATV is for.