Utah State Parks Off-Highway Vehicle Youth Education Program
In 1987, the Utah Legislature passed legislation requiring children 8 to 16 years of age to complete the Utah State Parks and Recreation's Know Before You Go Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Education Course before operating an OHV on public lands, roads or trails in Utah.
"Utah cares about its children. We are progressive in youth OHV education and safety," said Fred Hayes, Utah OHV coordinator. Hayes reported Utah's 15-year program is a model for many states now researching their own youth OHV programs. Hayes credits Utah lawmakers for being proactive in passing legislation to protect Utah's children.
Know Before You Go Education certificates are issued for snowmobiles, OHVs, and motorcycles. The curriculum not only includes information on safety, handling, and maintenance, but environmental ethics as well. Also, Utah law requires riders under 18 to wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet.
Utah OHV managers are doing even more to strengthen the OHV youth education and safety program. They are joining with the ATV Safety Institute, Tread Lightly, 4-H of the Utah State University Extension Service, and the Utah Farm Bureau to emphasize four key safety messages.
1. Strongly encourage parents to select an appropriately-sized machine for the body size and skill level of their children. Utah State Parks OHV officials can and will assist parents in selecting a proper machine.
2. Emphasize the importance of helmet laws and encourage all riders, regardless of age, to wear a helmet at all times.
3. Strongly encourage a parent or responsible adult to properly supervise children at all times.
4. Always ride within your ability and skill level.
"The safety of children riding ATVs is absolutely a priority in Utah," said Eric Stucki, off-highway vehicle education coordinator. "We strongly encourage parents to select a properly-sized vehicle for their child. In class, students must be able to comfortably reach their brakes and foot pegs, or they are not allowed to continue the course." Stucki added that Utah law requires a parent to attend the OHV education class with their child and that parent/child learning doesn't end in class.
"Utah's OHV education program is only the first step in a lifetime of riding and learning," said Stucki. "The key to safe riding, for anyone—parent or child—is knowing your skill level and riding within your ability."
Utah State Parks and Recreation also offers a safety and education hotline:1-800-648-7433.
—For more information contact the BlueRibbon Coalition main office: 4555 Burley Drive, Suite A, Pocatello, Idaho 83202. Eric Stucki, the off-highway vehicle education coordinator, may be contacted directly via email: <ericstucki@utah.gov>.