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Vue Thao has a simple, yet sage piece of advice for anybody who operates an All-Terrain Vehicle:
"Slow down and enjoy what you are doing," said the Washington County sRiheriff's deputy. "There is no point in going fast. ATVs are for recreation and to enjoy the outdoors."
Too often, he said, ATV drivers who are speeding or hotdogging get into trouble by breaking the law. Or, they end up having an accident that leads to a serious injury or death.
The state is trying to educate ATV users on the hazards associated with the machines.
State law requires that youths age 11 to 15 complete an ATV CD training course, pass a written exam and then a practical skills test to obtain a certificate that allows them to operate an ATV legally.
Above all, the course and the tests are intended to keep riders safe, said Thao, who will give the written exam and conduct hands-on exams for youths age 11 to 16 on Saturday at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve.
Before the class, participants must get an informational CD from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources -- it's free -- and independently review lessons on topics such as safety, pre-ride preparations, regulations and ethics. There is a short quiz after each chapter.
Next is the ATV Training Safety Class. In it, operators must pass a 50-question closed-book test by scoring 80 percent or above.
Those who pass the written test then take a road test to demonstrate their ability to navigate a serpentine course and to lean properly when going up or down hills. They also must demonstrate proper hand signals.
In addition, the practical test also includes a pre-ride safety check of the tires and a check to see if the rider can reach all hand and foot brakes, levers and controls and "fits" the machine -- another requirement of state law, said Mike Hammer, education programs coordinator in the Safety Training Section of the DNR's Division of Enforcement.
This is the 10th year the DNR has offered the youth classes. Over the years, Hammer said, the classes have reduced the number of deaths involving ATV riders under age 18. They also have helped reduce the number of complaints the DNR receives about youths illegally operating ATVs or engaging in behaviors such as riding in ditches or damaging driveways and creating ruts along trails, Hammer said.
Last year, 21 people died while operating ATVs in Minnesota. Seven were teenagers, the DNR said. In 2009, 23 people died and 38 were injured in crashes involving ATVs, according to figures from the DNR and the State Patrol. Three people, including a 9-year-old, have died so far this year.
About 5,000 people take the ATV safety courses each year, including 1,000 adults. Those over 16 do not have to take the skills portion of the class, but they must watch the CD and complete the exam at home. Adults who pass the test then pay $15 to get a certificate that is akin to a driver's license.
Hammer said the CD lessons stress the dos and don'ts while riding an ATV and highlight "things that get ATVers into trouble."
"People don't understand how easy they roll over," Hammer said. "That is a typical type of accident. The power of the machine causes them to pop over and land on them. We place a lot of emphasis on rollovers in the course."
In addition to Saturday's exam and skills test in Lake Elmo, the DNR will offer similar sessions elsewhere in the metro area: June 18 in Anoka and July 9-10 in Farmington. Other locations are listed on the DNR's website at www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/vehicle/atv/index.html .
Tim Harlow
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