There is an alarming amount of press lately talking about injuries and death related to All Terrain Vehicles. Many ATV accidents happen when people are riding an ATV that's just too big for them, and/or while carrying passengers. Usually while not wearing even the most basic of safety gear; a helmet.

That, coupled with the fact that many accidents happen while the ATVs are on pavement (where they are highly unstable because of the big balloon tires that are under-inflated) brings me to the conclusion that a little common sense will go a long way to help prevent more accidents and injuries while riding ATVs.

When reports from media outlets such as the Oregonian show statistics of injuries involved with ATVs and the way they're used, you have to address the fact that, like anything, ATVs are dangerous when not used correctly.

Looking over the causes of the accidents referenced from the Oregonian, I clearly saw a patter where the majority of accidents were caused by the rider doing things that the manufacturers strongly advise against;

riding on pavement
riding with passengers
riding a quad that's too big

All three are very basic no-nos when it comes to ATVs, but when it's done without the use of safety gear, it gets even more dangerous.