Our Government is out of control

Brad777 · 2009-10-22 20:25:18

By JENNIFER C. KERR
Associated Press Writer
This undated handout photo provided by the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association shows an off-road recreational vehicle known as an ROV. The federal government is taking a closer look at off-road recreational vehicles, known as ROVs, after dozens of deaths.
Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association
This undated handout photo provided by the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association shows an off-road recreational vehicle known as an ROV. The federal government is taking a closer look at off-road recreational vehicles, known as ROVs, after dozens of deaths.

After scores of deaths, the federal government is taking a closer look at off-road recreational vehicles, known as ROVs.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission voted Wednesday to write mandatory rules to regulate the four-wheel vehicles, following more than 100 deaths since 2003. Riders have suffered dozens of injuries, too - some leading to amputations.

ROVs, also called side-by-sides, are two-passenger motorized vehicles designed for drivers 16 years and older. They resemble a cross between a rugged-looking golf cart and a miniature-Jeep, and have a roll cage - metal bars framing the cab.

The industry proposed voluntary regulations for side-by-sides, but CPSC staffers said they fell short. Agency staff have expressed concern about the vehicles and rollover risks.

The commission will solicit comments from industry, consumer advocates and others as it writes the rules. This is the beginning of a process that could take many months, even years.

ROVs first appeared on the market in the late 1990s. Since 2003, CPSC says 116 people have died, including young children, and more than 150 have been injured. Injuries have involved crushing fractures to legs, feet and arms and some riders have lost limbs.

Safety advocates say the commission's vote puts the industry on notice.

"This is an instance where the industry has not been responding quickly and effectively enough to the well-documented hazards caused by these products," said Rachel Weintraub, director of product safety and senior counsel for the Consumer Federation of America.

ROV makers, however, insist the vehicles are safe.

"We know the vehicles are safe when used responsibly," the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association said in a statement. "We must emphasize the importance of consumers making the right choices when driving an ROV."

Former agency chief, Nancy Nord, first directed CPSC staff to investigate the vehicles and deaths a year ago.

In March, Yamaha Motor Corp. USA recalled more than 100,000 of its Rhino off-highway recreational vehicles for repairs after two models were linked to 46 deaths in the past six years. In many cases, riders were not wearing seat belts, the commission said. And in a number of incidents, rollovers happened on level ground at relatively slow speeds, the agency said.

ROVs can reach top speeds of more than 35 miles an hour. Industry officials declined to say exactly how fast they can go, but Yamaha put the maximum speed for its ROVs at 40 miles an hour.

Currently, there are mandatory restrictions for ATVs, such as speed limits for youth models. But there are no standards, voluntary or otherwise, for the side-by-sides, which have the roll cage and a different steering system.

About 140,000 ROVs were sold last year in the United States.

Source: http://www.kansascity.com/437/story/1520712.html#

Titan · 2009-10-23 08:28:54

140,000 sold last year and only 100 deaths since 2003, HUUMMM how many people died last year from cigarettes? How many people were raped, murdered or overdosed on illegal drugs? How many people were shot, stabed or run over by cars? Lets not worrie about the really bad stuff in the world but if one idiot doesnt use his seat belt in a side x side and goes out and blows a bunch of cookies in his driveway and ends up dead the rest of the world has to stop.
Id like to kick the head of the CPSC in the ballsack, maybe it will pop his head out of his ass. Just another fine example dumb ass politicians, law makers, reporters and otherwise clueless assholes messing with what so many people have died protecting this country for. FREEDOM. If I wanted to be told what is wright and wrong or what to buy and how to live Id move to North Korea.

AND THATS ALL I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THAT!

Brad777 · 2009-10-23 11:31:46

Interesting statistic. On average, how many people were killed or injured riding horses each year...about 205,000.

Believe it or not!
Horseback riding carries a higher injury rate than motorcycle riding. On average, motorcyclists suffer an injury once every 7000 hours of riding. By contrast, an equestrian (horseback rider) may have a serious accident once every 350 hours. However, there are about 20X that number injured or killed riding bicycles.

And the Government is concerned with the safety of our Off-Road Vehicles????

Badley · 2009-10-26 14:10:49

Your title to this thread nails it "Our Government is out of control"! We need to take our country back! Our current administration is over the top :twisted:

Titan · 2009-10-27 11:11:12

Hard to belive the government is
owned by the people but controled
by power and greed.

Titan · 2010-01-21 22:20:27

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

Badley · 2010-01-22 16:48:04

So, do we have to wait until fall "to throw off such Government" ?? Nice start from Massachusetts... go figure. Obama opens his mouth today about punishing Banks - Dow drops 216. This is insanity. Time to flush :twisted:

Fasttrax · 2010-01-22 17:35:45

So, do we have to wait until fall "to throw off such Government" ?? Nice start from Massachusetts... go figure. Obama opens his mouth today about punishing Banks - Dow drops 216. This is insanity. Time to flush :twisted:

I tried flushing in November but the turd wouldn't go down. Might have to wait until it breaks up a little more, below 60% and watching it close! :shock:

ATVs Today.net · 2010-04-25 13:25:13

It's an outrage. We have a govt that gets to do whatever it wants, but the people have to get permission to do whatever they want.

#1 2009-10-22 20:25:18

Re: Our Government is out of control

#2 2009-10-23 08:28:54

Re: Our Government is out of control

#3 2009-10-23 11:31:46

Re: Our Government is out of control

#4 2009-10-26 14:10:49

Re: Our Government is out of control

#5 2009-10-27 11:11:12

Re: Our Government is out of control

#6 2010-01-21 22:20:27

Re: Our Government is out of control

#7 2010-01-22 16:48:04

Re: Our Government is out of control

#8 2010-01-22 17:35:45

Re: Our Government is out of control

#9 2010-04-25 13:25:13

Re: Our Government is out of control

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