All-Terrain Vehicles: How They Are Used, Crashes, and Sales of Adult-Sized Vehicles for Children's Use

In April 2010, we reported that about one-fifth of the deaths and one-third of the injuries resulting from all-terrain vehicle (ATV) crashes involved children. Crashes involving children frequently occurred when they rode adult-sized ATVs, which are more difficult for them to handle. Manufacturers and distributors have agreed to use their best efforts to prevent their dealers from selling adult-sized ATVs for use by children. However, our undercover checks of selected dealers in four states indicated that 7 of 10 were willing to sell adult-sized ATVs for use by children. Consumer Product Safety Commission staff suspended similar checks in 2008 because of higher priorities. Therefore, we recommended that the Commission resume its undercover checks. In 2014, we confirmed that the Commission resumed these undercover checks, which allows the Commission to assess whether manufacturers and distributors are adequately monitoring their dealers with respect to the sale of adult-sized ATVs for use by children.

In 2010, GAO reported that all-terrain vehicle (ATV) fatalities and injuries involving children have been a significant problem over the last decade, and that crashes involving children frequently occur when they ride adult-sized ATVs. Although ATV manufacturers and distributors have agreed to prevent their dealers from selling adult-sized ATVs for use by children, noncompliance has been a persistent problem. To enhance the Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) oversight of ATV safety, GAO recommended that the Commission consider how its enforcement of the age restrictions could be strengthened, considering options such as requiring ATV manufacturers and distributors to (1) provide more specific language in their safety action plans--in which manufacturers and distributors describe how they will comply with the ATV industry standard--about how they will enforce their dealers' compliance with the age recommendations and (2) make their agreements with dealers available for Commission staff to inspect how the agreements address the age recommendations. In addition, GAO said the Commission should consider making public all of the action plans. In response to this recommendation, CPSC staff included more detailed dealer monitoring provisions in the three action plans that were negotiated and approved since the 2010 GAO report. CPSC staff also sought amended and more detailed dealer monitoring provisions for the 33 firms that received Commission approval of their action plans between August 14, 2008, and GAO's 2010 report. CPSC indicated that of the 33 firms, 22 executed enhanced dealer monitoring amendments, 3 are negotiating such amendments, 3 have left or are presumed to have left the ATV business, and CPSC staff are investigating 5 firms that did not respond. In addition, CPSC indicated that when appropriate, Commission staff request that manufacturers and dealers make their dealership agreements available as a part of inspection activities. CPSC has also posted on its Web site ATV action plans or letters of undertaking. These actions will enhance CPSC's oversight of ATV safety by strengthening its enforcement of the age restrictions regarding the sale of adult-size ATVs.