In California, children under the age of 16 cannot drive a car, but they can operate an all-terrain vehicle. Since children under the age of 14 must have adult supervision when operating an ATV, the hobby is one that many families enjoy together.
For safety’s sake, children must be able to reach the controls on an ATV in order to operate it. For this reason, manufacturers produce ATVs that are smaller in size for youth. In early January, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall of CRT Motor Youth All-Terrain Vehicles for multiple safety hazards.
Laceration Hazards
If the operator of the recalled ATV were to strike his or her head or body against the handlebars in a crash, it could result in severe lacerations requiring medical treatment. A laceration is a cut to the skin. Depending on its severity, it could involve deeper tissues as well.
Safety Standard Violation
The greater the speed at which an individual operates an ATV, the greater the risk of a crash that causes severe injuries. Federal safety standards impose a maximum allowed speed for youth ATVs to prevent severe injuries in the event of a crash. The recalled CRT Motor Youth ATVs allow the operator to exceed this maximum, increasing the risk of the rider crashing and sustaining serious injuries.
As of yet, there has been no report of any injuries from using the recalled ATVs. Consumers can prevent injuries by stopping all use of the ATVs by either children or adults right away. People who purchased the ATVs from Motorsport Planet stores between April and August of 2021 can contact the importer, CRT Motor Inc., for instructions on how to receive a refund.
