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accidents , Honda was busy analyzing this fact , studying the

causes , and proposing solutions to reduce the number of

accidents .

Several facts became clear .

First , there had been a

dramatic rise in sales . Second , there were many more users than

ATC owners .

It was clear from observations at several well known

riding areas that 7 to 8 friends would take 2 to 3 ATCs to share

during a given weekend .

Third , a rental market arose where a

person who did not own an ATC could rent it by the hour and ride .

Through its experience , Honda began to focus on the major causes of accidents . These can be generally labeled as

inappropriate rider behavior and misuse of the ATC .

People were

drinking alcohol and operating ATCs intoxicated , resulting in

accidents . Riders were driving without proper safety equipment , such as helmets and boots , resulting in increased head and lower

leg injuries . Riders were allowing passengers to ride with them ,

even

man

even though both the ATC and is manual clearly informed them that it is an operator - only vehicle . This resulted in loss of control and injuries to both the operator and to the passenger . Certain individuals were riding on inappropriate terrain , such as paved

surfaces . Since the vehicle is designed for off - road terrain and

incorporates the soft tires discussed above , this misuse resulted

in loss of control and accidents . Children were allowed to

operate without adult supervision in terrain which was above

their ability . This , unfortunately , resulted in accidents to children , even though the manual on the child ' s ATC 70 machine