Safety Tips and Laws for Riding an ATV in the State of Kentucky

An ATV is a complex machine — all riders should prepare themselves with knowledge of these vehicles and the necessary safety procedures before venturing out on a trail. Drivers need to be aware of all state laws and general precautions to ride safely.

Wear the Proper Safety Equipment

When driving an ATV, riders should always wear a helmet, closed-toe shoes, and full-coverage clothing. The appropriate gear can help protect from traumatic brain injuries (TBI), facial injuries, and skin lacerations that can occur during an ATV accident.

Kentucky’s ATV Age Limits

Kentucky state law prohibits younger children from driving certain types of ATVs. Riders under the age of 16 are only permitted to drive vehicles with a less than 90 cc engine. The engine size limit for children under the age of 12 is 70 cc. All people who are younger than 16 can only operate an ATV if they are being supervised by a parent.

ATV Safety

Adhering to all of the laws listed above is a great first step to staying safe when riding an ATV. These laws were passed with safety in mind, and should be followed at all times.

For the safest and most fun ATV riding experience possible, remember to:

• Properly educate yourself on how to ride an ATV before taking it out on any difficult trails. If a child or other inexperienced person is interested in riding an ATV, make sure to train them on safe operation practices before allowing them to ride alone.
• Make sure your ATV is up to date on any needed repairs.
• Never operate an ATV under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Drive at a reasonable speed at all times.
• Avoid riding on trails that seem too difficult to drive on. If you are riding on an ATV and encounter an area that looks like it could be dangerous, it is best to avoid that path completely. Your instinct should not be ignored — it’s best to turn around to limit you risk of injury, or of getting stuck.

Even if you are following all safety precautions, other drivers may not be. If you were injured in an ATV accident that was caused by another person’s negligence, contact Goeing Goeing & McQuinn PLLC to discover your options.