ATV Law Will Save Lives, Prevent Injuries, Governor Says

Tuesday, July 17th 2007, 7:45 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Governor Brad Henry says a law taking effect November 1st will save lives and prevent serious head injuries. The new law requires children under the age of 18 to wear crash helmets while operating or riding on an all-terrain vehicle on public land.

State Representative Bill Nations of Norman authored the bill with state Senator Andrew Rice of Oklahoma City. Nations says Oklahoma is the 35th state to impose safety requirements for children and teenagers driving and riding on ATVs. He says helmets reduce deaths by 42% and nonfatal head injuries by 64%.

Failure to comply with the proposed law would result in a $25 fine. The law would not apply to the use of ATVs on private property.

So far this year, seven Oklahomans have died in ATV accidents. Nineteen Oklahomans died in such accidents in 2006.