CBS News on Yamaha Rhino Rollover Safety Issues
As you can imagine, ATV Safety is big with me. As a father, it kind of has to be. I try to make sure when my kids ride ATVs they know why they have to be safe, but at such a young age it's not always easy.
The other night Katie Couric on CBS Evening News provided a perfect teaching tool that shows what happens when you don't follow recommended safety procedures when riding ATVs and Side x Sides like the Yamaha Rhino.
In the 5 or 6 minute piece, CBS News showed several clips of people driving the SxS ATVs with complete disregard for safety. They also showed how several lawyers are trying to cash in on this irresponsibility by going after Yamaha in Rhino Rollover litigation.
From not wearing safety equipment and restraints, to driving on pavement and jerking the wheel to the side, to "rocking" the SxS to throw it off balance in the sand, to trying to climb it up nearly vertical hills, the level of contempt for safety was obvious.
It gave me very clear examples to show my children why it's up to them to be safe. It especially showed them why it's very important to wear the proper safety equipment for any activity they're taking part in, whether it's skate-boarding, bicycling, ATVing or paint-balling.
I got a lot out of the news piece, so did my kids. If you saw it, please let us know how it make you feel about this issue. Did it cover the personal responsibility issue well enough?
Comments
Thank you for encouraging personal responsibility when enjoying ATVs! Too many times I’ve seen people blame the vehicle rather than their own bad judgment.
Beth, thanks for commenting.
I see it (lack of personal responsibility) all too often. That’s what prompted this post; the way this issue is being reported there is little or no emphasis put on how the equipment was being used when the problems arise. And it is almost always against manufacturers recommended usage.
Something else I see that really makes me mad when it comes to quads and personal responsibility is parents using ATVs as babysitters!
Kids should NOT be riding these things by themselves. They’re not toys. Turning your kid loose on one of them is very much the same as turning them loose with your car.