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The ATV Safety Institute
(ASI), a nonprofit division of the Specialty Vehicle Institute
of America (SVIA), was formed in 1988 to implement an expanded
national program of all-terrain vehicle (ATV) safety education
and awareness. ASI's primary goal is to promote the safe and responsible
use of ATVs, thereby reducing accidents and injuries that may
result from improper ATV operation by the rider.
The ATV operator injury rate has substantially declined since
1984. This is due, in part, to the ASI's expanded safety education
and public awareness programs. The ASI will continue to be an
information source about ATV standards, promote model state legislation
on ATV riding, and serve as a liaison with state and federal agencies
on ATV training and environmental issues. Based on SVIA safety
programs developed since 1983, the ASI leads the way in expanding
and implementing ATV rider-training programs nationwide.
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Nearly
five million people ride all-terrain vehicles. Besides recreational
use, ATVs also serve agriculture, business, commercial industry and
nearly 700 government and law enforcement agencies with on-the-job
transportation and other uses.
Safe and responsible use of all-terrain (ATV) is a top priority for
Alpha Sports, Arctic Cat, Bombardier, Cannondale, Honda, Kawasaki,
KTM, Suzuki and Yamaha, leading U.S. distributors of all-terrain vehicles.
These distributors are engaged in highly visible communications efforts
targeted to users and prospective buyers about the safe and responsible
use of ATVs. As a part of these efforts, hands-on training is offered
free-of-charge by these distributors to all individuals who purchase
new ATVs, including the purchaser's eligible family members. Training
also is available for a modest fee to all other interested parties
who are not eligible for free training.
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Training is conducted through
the ATV Safety Institute (ASI), a division of the non-profit Specialty
Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA) association. Developed as
an outgrowth of the SVIA all-terrain vehicle training program,
the ASI was formed to implement an expanded national program of
all-terrain vehicle (ATV) safety education, awareness and training.
The hand on, half day ATV Rider Course® is conducted by certified
ASI instructors. The course offers students an opportunity to
increase their knowledge of safety and to practice basic riding
skills in a controlled environment under the direct supervision
of a certified instructor.
Students practice safety techniques, with hands-on exercises covering
starting, stopping, running, negotiating hills, emergency stopping
and swerving, and riding over obstacles. Particular emphasis is
placed on the safety implications relating to each lesson.
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The
course also covers protective gear, environmental concerns
and local laws. Participants receive the ATV Rider Course® Handbook,
which reinforces the safety information and riding techniques covered
during the ATV Rider Course®. These instructional materials as
well as he course curriculum have been designed in consultation with
the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Individuals 6 years of age and older may take the class. Riders under
16 (under 18 for Arctic Cat Inc.) are restricted to ATVs of the appropriate
size recommended for the rider's age. There are teaching provisions
for students under 16 years old, and parents are encouraged to attend
as well. Students under the age of 12 participate in separate classes
and the parent must be present during the entire course.
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Only certified instructors
are authorized to teach the ATV Rider Course®. All ASI instructors
must complete a comprehensive training program and meet specific
ASI requirements to become certified. More than 1000 active instructors
are certified to teach the ATV Rider Course® at more than
1200 locations throughout all 50 states.
The ASI Rider Course® training program uses a proactive,
centralized enrollment system to expedite the delivery of training.
This computer-assisted dialing system puts ASI's enrollment representatives
in touch personally by phone with hundreds of ATV buyers and other
interested persons each day
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When
a new ATV is purchased, the dealer provides customer information
to ASI, often within 24 hours of purchase. New purchaser are contacted
directly by ASI representatives once a faxed copy of their Rider Training
Certificate has been received from the selling ATV dealership. This
system allows ASI to protect where training will be needed to ensure
that scheduled classes are available to enroll new buyers when they
are first contacted. It can also determine in advance when and where
training opportunities should be provided and establish such classes
prior to calling prospective students. This process enables ASI to
contact new purchasers immediately for a class and offer training
quickly. |
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The training
program is also promoted through many of the distributors'
communications with consumers, including vehicle labels, hang tags
and other point-of-purchase materials, owner's manuals, a safety video
and promotional advertisements in print and broadcast media. A toll-free
telephone number (800-887-2887) offers interested parties more information
about enrolling in he training program.
The ASI representative who contacts
a purchaser or other interested person will work with the customer
to schedule a convenient time and location for a training class. Once
training has been scheduled, the student receives a confirmation letter
with a map and directions to the training site and a confirmation
of the date and time for training.
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The local
instructor receives a class roster and calls shortly before
the class to confirm each student's commitment to attend and to give
further instructions.
The ATV Safety Institute also works with state, military and independent
agencies to present seminars, develop safety materials and coordinate
training materials targeted to specific needs.
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The ASI is committed
to increasing public awareness of ATV safety programs. It produces
and distributes public service messages to ATV enthusiast magazines
and other publications read by potential ATV riders. Safety videos
are available which consumers may view at ATV dealerships. Dealerships
may also load the video to consumers. In addition, consumers may purchase
the videos for a modest price from ASI. There are also several publications
available to promote safe riding practices. |
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For more
information regarding training in your area, call (949) 887-2887.
For information on ATV safety issues, call (800) 852-5344. For local
courses in the Pittsburgh area, contact instructor@paatving.com |
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