Mississippi ATV law too vague says law enforcement

Mississippi ATV law too vague says law enforcement

The law on all-terrain vehicle use in Mississippi has gotten a little tighter over the past three years.

Helmets are now required, as are certification courses for underage operators.

But many law enforcement officials say the law still lacks teeth because it provides no penalty for driving ATVs on public roads.

Each year in Mississippi, an average of 18 people die in ATV accidents, according to data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Mississippi State Department of Health. The state’s ATV death rate far exceeds the national average and is particularly high for children under 16.

More than half of ATV deaths occur on public roads.

Daily Journal
10/6/13