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FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Department of Agriculture is taking action to help the Commonwealth reduce its nation-leading number of all-terrain vehicle deaths.
The Department is seeking $126,000 in state General Fund appropriations for its Farm and Home Safety Program for ATV safety education. The Farm and Home Safety Program presented an ATV safety course as a pilot project in several counties in 2005.
“Kentucky has suffered more from injuries and deaths in ATV accidents than any other state,” Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said. “Our ATV education program would show people how they can minimize the risk of getting hurt or worse on their ATVs and still have fun. This program is well worth the modest investment we have asked for.”
The ATV safety program would provide classroom instruction and hands-on training. It would include education for first responders on working ATV-related accidents.
The Department will seek in-kind support from emergency response agencies and the ATV industry.
Kentucky led the nation with 106 reported ATV-related deaths from 2002 to 2004, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported in December. Kentucky’s ATV death rate grew faster than that of any other state, the commission said.
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For a map of Kentucky ATV-related deaths by county, click here.
For a bar chart of the leading Kentucky counties in ATV fatalities, click here.
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