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The study has also shown that most incidents occurred while the vehicle was moving in a straight line , not while engaged in intricate maneuvers . Surely driver inexperience and inattention are key culprits in addition to possible engineer ing defects .

The study also demonstrates that . 1983 , a year when Alaska ' s . ATV dealers experienced a major increase in sales , was the year during which most fatalities occurred . In 1983 , thirteen deaths were documented as being associated with ATV use . Only seven , however , were documented as ATV - related in 1984 . Only one death this year has been associated with ATV use in Alaska . As happened with motorcycles and even bicycles , users were simply not wise about the risks associated with ATV use . As public knowledge about those . risks increase , the injury rates have gone down .

In Alaska we are doing something to increase that awareness . We are determined to control ATV - related injuries , but not by banning their use . We have a community - based effort , involving many organizations , to educate the public . I wish to point out that the Honda distributors in Alaska have supported this effort . They have been responsible , good citizens involved in every part of this effort .

We believe safety education programs are one of the most effective and efficient strategies for dealing with vehicle - related injury . We believe our programs are working . We enjoy a high participation in our programs , and note with pride that not only are the young people interested in safe use of ATVS but the parents are also attending . We believe in this community - based , democratic approach to the problem . We think such efforts will work for the entire nation .

Susan st . tatbest

Susan W . Halbert Program Coordinator 4 - H Youth Development Cooperative Extension Service 2651 Providence Ave Anchorage , Alaska 99508 - 4670