Measure to Curb ATV Injuries Advances in Okla.

A bill to require children under the age of 18 to wear crash helmets while operating or riding on an all-terrain vehicle on public land was approved by a Senate committee on April 3.

The House-passed measure now goes to the Senate floor for consideration.

Sen. Andrew Rice, D-Oklahoma city, said six children died in ATV accidents in Oklahoma last year.

“We can work to reduce that number by passing this legislation into law and emphasizing ATV safety in Oklahoma,” he said.

Rice, Senate sponsor of the bill, said Oklahoma now has no safety requirements for ATV riders, other than they are not allowed to operate the vehicles on paved roads.

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.