Video: Experts Stress ATV Safety As Hunting Season Starts

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PONTOTOC, MISS. (WCBI) – Last month, a 12 year old Lee County boy was killed in a 4 wheeler accident. According to the Mississippi Department of Health, ATV related injuries are rising fastest in those under the age of 16.

Today, WCBI’s Allie Martin talked to experts who provide valuable safety tips for ATV drivers and passengers.

Whenever Pontotoc County Sheriff Leo Mask checks on the vegetable garden that helps feed the inmates, he uses this side by side, bought with grant money a few years ago. And even though he’s not going far from his office, Sheriff Mask buckles up.

With hunting season kicking into high gear this weekend, the sheriff knows that four wheelers and ATVs will be out in full force. He says a little common sense goes a long way.

“Wear a helmet, We try to tell everyone, to drive safely, whatever vehicle , ATV or car, truck, but hunting season coming up, you will have a lot of people on the 4 wheelers, or ATVs,” Sheriff Mask said.

It’s also important to remember that ATVs are off road vehicles, that means it is illegal to drive them on public roads.

Gina Owen reminds customers of that and other safety precautions whenever a 4 wheeler is sold at Owen ATV

She says it’s important to know how to properly operate an ATV and it’s especially crucial that minors don’t try and get on a 4 wheeler that is too big for them.

“You need to sit on it and make sure you feel comfortable on it, if we ever sell a used one here, we have a place behind our business here that you can ride, we want to make sure you feel comfortable on the bike,” Owen said.

Owen also stresses the importance of proper maintenance.

“Make sure they know which brake is which, because if they’re going a little too fast and they hit a front brake it can lock it up and throw them over the handlebars, just want to make sure that everything is safe, make sure ball joints and tire rod ends are tight on it,” she said.

Experts also say to never mix alcohol, off road vehicles and firearms. The state Health Department says Mississippians are 3 and a half times more likely to die from an ATV accident compared the 2010 national average.