Volunteer ATV Safety Instructor Steve Lashinski supervises a student as he maneuvers an ATV on a simulated side hill during last year’s ATV safety course. Registration is open now at Cook County Community Education for this year’s class.
The Cook County ATV Club reminds parents that an ATV Safety Training course is available in May for students, ages 12 – 15. Sign up now for a safe summer!
The course is part independent study and part field test. When students sign up, they will receive a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) CD to study for the written test and field test.
A review and the written test will be conducted on Wednesday, May 16 at 3:15 – 5:15 p.m. in Cook County High School room 110. After successfully passing the test, students participate in a field test on Saturday, May 18 at 8 a.m. at the old Grand Marais airport site (by Devil Track Landing).
There is a $10 fee, payable to Community Education for the class. The Cook County ATV Club provides scholarships to any youths who cannot afford the course fee. All of the students who successfully complete the ATV safety training will also be treated to a pizza party with the DNR and volunteer instructors and will receive an ATV club T-shirt.
Safety Instructor Dick Parker, an ATV Club member, encouraged parents to have their kids take this course. “Statistics show that 47 percent of all persons involved in ATV accidents are in their teens, 10-19 years old. The major cause of accidents is rollovers and hitting fixed objects. Speed is frequently the cause,” said Parker. “That’s why it is so important to catch kids when they are young to teach them about safe and ethical riding.”
“Just because you don’t own an ATV doesn’t mean your kid doesn’t need the training,” said Safety Instructor Chuck Silence. “There are more ATVs in the state than snowmobiles—you want them to be prepared to ride just in case they have the chance at a neighbor or friend’s house.”
Stop by the Community Education office to pick up a CD, registration, and parent release form. Call (218) 387-2000 for more information. All registration forms and payment must be returned to Community Education by May 9.
ATV Safety Training is sponsored by the MN DNR, Cook County Community Education, and the Cook County ATV Club.
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