The CPSC is back in the OHV news headlines, with reports the government agency has voted to write mandatory rules regulating ROVs like the Yamaha Rhino and Kawasaki Teryx.
The off-road community knows all about the Consumer Product Safety Commission thanks to a
lead ban this year that temporarily outlawed youth OHV sales. Now the CPSC is back in the news, with the AP reporting the government agency has voted to write mandatory rules regulating Recreational Off-Highway Vehicles. The ROV segment covers popular UTV models like the
Yamaha Rhino and
Kawasaki Teryx.
An October 7, 2009, CPSC briefing memorandum outlines its position on ROVs, prior to the commission vote. (Click here to read the
CPSC ROV memo) The memo describes the decision making process up to the present, including CPSC tests from November of 2008 to January of 2009 determining that many ROVs tested “may exhibit inadequate lateral stability, undesirable steering characteristics, and inadequate occupant protection during a rollover crash.”
A CPSC investigation into numerous fatal rollovers aboard the Yamaha Rhino led to a free repair program for owners.
At the center of the ROV firestorm and the CPSC crosshairs was the much-maligned Yamaha Rhino, which has been hit with a number of legal claims due to injury and deaths from rollovers. CPSC investigations of 50 Rhino incidents, including 46 deaths, led to a March 2009 announcement for a repair program on Rhino 450, 660 and 700 models. The repair program from Yamaha, negotiated with the CPSC, required installation of rear wheel spacers and removal of an anti-sway bar. Yamaha offers a separate repair program which provides half-doors and additional handholds.
Representatives from the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association (ROHVA) presented its own voluntary industry standard for ROV when it met with CPSC officials in December of 2008. However, the CPSC has found the ROHVA standard lacking, with the October 2009 memo’s conclusion stating:
“Based on the continuing deaths and injuries involving ROVs and a review of the draft requirements currently proposed by the ROHVA, CPSC staff believes that the proposed voluntary standard will not adequately address the deaths and injuries associated with ROV rollovers and collisions. Additionally, there are many safety features or characteristics that can be incorporated on ROVs to make them more stable and safer to use.”
The ROHVA issued a statement October 19th, regarding the announcement of the ballot vote and the CPSC's recommendation in which it called the action "premature." Read the
ROHVA Statement on the CPSC Ballot Vote.
