Proposed Senate Bill 49

[Dune Dude]

Sanddemon brought this to our attention yesterday.  Do you know what your elected officials are up to?

... And there would no more ripping around the Oregon Dunes, or anyplace else in the state, on an ATV for anyone under the age of 12, under Senate Bill 49 - proposed by State Sens. Richard Devlin of Tualatin and Alan Bates of Ashland, both Democrats.     

Get your phones and e-mails ready this thing needs to go down in a flaming heap!   

Contact info for Senator Alan Bates of Ashland

Sen. Alan C. Bates (D)
District: 003
900 Court Street NE
Suite S-305
Salem OR, 97301
Phone: (503) 986-1703
Fax: (503) 986-1080
Email: sen.alanbates@state.or.us


State Representative

Contact info for Senator Richard Devlin

Sen. Richard Devlin (D)
District: 019
900 Court Street NE
Suite S-316
Salem OR, 97301-4073
Phone: (503) 986-1719
Fax: (503) 986-1987
Email: sen.richarddevlin@state.or.us


State Representative

[vp insandity]

We are ready. That is BULL $hit. We will fight this as a club and I will talk with the MRA to join forces on this matter.

[afterburner]

 
Senators ALAN C. BATES of Ashland (sen.alanbates@state.or.us  ) and RICHARD DEVLIN of Tualitin (sen.richarddevlin@state.or.us ) sponsored Senate Bill 49 which was introduced to the Senate this week.  This Bill prohibits operation of all-terrain vehicles by persons less than 12 years of age. It restricts operation of all-terrain vehicles by persons 12 to 15 years of age based on vehicle engine displacement.  It prohibits sellers of all-terrain vehicles from knowingly selling all-terrain vehicles for use by persons less than 12 years of age or for use by persons 12 to 15 years of age in violation of engine displacement limitations.  It punishes by fine of $90.
It also directs State Parks and Recreation Department to produce and provide safety information to retailers. It also directs retailers of all-terrain vehicles to distribute safety information to buyers of all terrain vehicles.

Obviously, this will affect a slew of dealers, but think of how this will affect the thousands of Oregonian families that purchased these vehicles for their children, educated them on their safe use and operate them responsibly as a family activity.  Rather than using the glut of ATV state funds (that are at risk) to simply refine the laws to incorporate education, training and other safety awareness means to allow our children to enjoy our family motorsports, let’s just strip them of that recreation.  Maybe instead of spending time doing family outdoor activities on their quads, they’ll discover alternative means to expel their energies.  As for their quads, they just became E-Bay candidates for non-Oregonians. 
Write BATES and DEVLIN as well as your elected official and put a stop to the Bill!  If there is a real risk, let’s find a better way to do this!!

(CURRENT STATUTE) 821.203 Endangering Class I or III all-terrain vehicle operator or passenger; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of endangering a Class I or Class III all-terrain vehicle operator or passenger if:
   (a) The person is operating a Class I or Class III all-terrain vehicle on premises open to the public and the person carries another person on the Class I or Class III all-terrain vehicle who is under 18 years of age and is not wearing a motorcycle helmet; or
   (b) The person is the parent, legal guardian or person with legal responsibility for the safety and welfare of a child under 18 years of age and the child operates or rides on a Class I or Class III all-terrain vehicle on premises open to the public without wearing a motorcycle helmet.
   (2) The requirement to wear a motorcycle helmet does not apply if the all-terrain vehicle is:
   (a) Used exclusively in farming, agricultural or forestry operations or used by persons licensed under ORS chapter 571 exclusively for nursery or Christmas tree growing operations.
   (b) Being used on land owned or leased by the owner of the vehicle.
   (3) The offense described in this section, endangering a Class I or Class III all-terrain vehicle operator or passenger, is a Class D traffic violation. [1995 c.775 §§3,11]

(CURRENT STATUTE) 821.292 Endangering Class III all-terrain vehicle operator; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of endangering a Class III all-terrain vehicle operator if the person is the parent, legal guardian or person with legal responsibility for the safety and welfare of a child at least seven years of age but under 12 years of age and the child operates a Class III all-terrain vehicle on public lands and:
   (a) Does not have a Class III all-terrain vehicle operator permit issued under ORS 390.575; and
   (b) Is not accompanied by the parent, legal guardian or person with legal responsibility who is on the same vehicle, if the vehicle is designed to carry passengers, or on a separate Class III all-terrain vehicle.
   (2) A person commits the offense of endangering a Class III all-terrain vehicle operator if the person is the parent, legal guardian or person with legal responsibility for the safety and welfare of a child who is under seven years of age and the child operates a Class III all-terrain vehicle on public lands.
   (3) The offense described in this section, endangering a Class III all-terrain vehicle operator, is a Class C traffic violation. [1995 c.774 §2a; 1999 c.977 §36]

BILL SUMMARY:
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1. Section 2 of this 2007 Act is added to and made a part of the Oregon Vehicle Code.
SECTION 2. (1) A person who is in the business of selling all-terrain vehicles commits the offense of knowingly selling or offering to sell an all-terrain vehicle for use by an unauthorized operator when a person sells an all-terrain vehicle:
(a) For use by persons under 12 years of age; or
(b) With an engine displacement greater than 90 cubic centimeters for use by persons under 16 years of age.
(2) The offense of knowingly selling or offering to sell an all-terrain vehicle for use by an unauthorized operator is a Class D traffic violation.
SECTION 3. A person who is in the business of selling all-terrain vehicles shall distribute informational materials regarding state laws, safety requirements and training programs to purchasers of all-terrain vehicles at the time of sale. The State Parks and Recreation Department shall develop and provide the informational materials for distribution to the sellers of all-terrain vehicles.

 (PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO ORS 821.203)  Relating to all-terrain vehicles; creating new provisions; amending ORS 821.203; and repealing ORS 821.292.
ORS 821.203 is amended to read:
821.203. (1) A person commits the offense of endangering [a Class I or Class III] an all-terrain vehicle operator or passenger if:
(a) The person is operating a Class I or Class III all-terrain vehicle on premises open to the public and the person carries another person on the Class I or Class III all-terrain vehicle who is under 18 years of age and is not wearing a motorcycle helmet; [or]
(b) The person is the parent, legal guardian or person with legal responsibility for the safety and welfare of a child under 18 years of age and the child operates or rides on a Class I or Class III all-terrain vehicle on premises open to the public without wearing a motorcycle helmet[.]
(c) The person is the parent, legal guardian or person with legal responsibility for the safety and welfare of a child who is at least 12 years of age and not more than 15 years of age and who operates an all-terrain vehicle with an engine displacement greater than 90 cubic centimeters; or
(d) The person is the parent, legal guardian or person with legal responsibility for the safety and welfare of a child under 12 years of age and the child operates an all-terrain vehicle.
(2) The requirement to wear a motorcycle helmet does not apply if the all-terrain vehicle is:
(a) Used exclusively in farming, agricultural or forestry operations or used by persons licensed under ORS chapter 571 exclusively for nursery or Christmas tree growing operations.
(b) Being used on land owned or leased by the owner of the vehicle.
(3) The offense described in this section, endangering [a Class I or Class III] an all-terrain vehicle operator or passenger, is a Class D traffic violation.

ORS 821.292 is to be repealed.

[Dune Dude]

Here might be some back ground on why Bill 49:  No date was given for the AP article.

Associated Press


Deaths and injuries on off-highway vehicles are escalating in Oregon, especially among young riders, and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department wants to do something about it.

Concepts for four new laws have been proposed. If Gov. Ted Kulongoski approves, they go to the next Legislature.

"State government shouldn't try to solve every problem, but this is one of those times that state parks has recognized a problem, recognizes that there are not adequate programs in place, and we're taking a proactive approach," said Wayne Rawlin, department's recreation appropriations manager.

"If we could lop off half the deaths every year, wouldn't that be a neat result?"

The proposed laws would:

_ Make helmets mandatory for all off-highway vehicle operators.

_ Place a restriction on the number of occupants of each ATV.

_ Establish mandatory training for every ATV operator, starting with the youngest, then being phased in over time until all must be trained and pass a test.

_ Require a title for every new or used ATV purchased in Oregon beginning in 2008.

The laws would cover off-road motorcycles and three-wheel and four-wheel all-terrain vehicles on public lands and on private lands open to public riding.

Statistics are scarce because most police accident reports do not deal with off-highway crashes.

But the Oregon Department of Human Services knows of at least 18 deaths in five years to participants 17 and younger on off-highway vehicles in Oregon. The average age of death was 13.7 years.

In the same period --1999 through 2004 -- 534 children were admitted to Oregon hospitals for major trauma from ATV injuries.

State statistics document 5,791 deaths on ATVs nationwide from 1982 through 2003 -- 32 percent of them children 15 and younger -- and 1.6 million ATV-related visits to hospital emergency rooms.

"What happens is, to be able to corner and turn them correctly, you have to use your body weight to move the vehicle, and youths sometimes don't have the body weight that's needed to get around corners," said Lisa Millet, an injury prevention and epidemiology specialist for the Oregon Department of Human Services. "That's where you see them flying off cliffs in national forests."

Those who own or operate ATVs will have opportunities for input as the laws are written.

"Based on what we've seen, we think the only responsible thing is to propose improvements on off-highway vehicle safety," said Chris Havel, communications coordinator for state parks.

Oregon law already requires youths 17 and younger to wear helmets when riding on public lands, but only two of the 18 deaths included in the Department of Human Services statistics were doing so.

The proposed training program is modeled after one the Oregon State Marine Board has, making a safety education card mandatory for older and older participants each year. Operators of boats with motors 10 horsepower or larger must hold a card this year if they're 50 or younger. Next year it will be required for 60 and younger.

The only adult ATV training done in Oregon, outside of private ones, is training offered by manufacturers when a new unit is purchased. Only 3 percent of off-road motorcyclists and 12 percent of three-wheel and four-wheel purchasers take advantage of it, said Steve Garets, a consultant whose research helped the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department gather information on ATV safety.

No training is required for youths, but those 17 and younger who do not have a driver's license and who want to ride alone must take a manufacturer's safety course and obtain a safety card.

Garets said there are 589,000 off-road riders in Oregon, including 68,000 17-and-younger three-wheel and four-wheel riders.

___

Information from: Statesman Journal, http://www.statesmanjournal.com

So is Bill 49 intended to eliminate the 3.6 (reported) deaths a year, of operators 17 and under, involving 68,000 riders of that age?  No injury or death is to be taken lightly.  Anything that can be done to prevent injuries or death for any that ride ATV's should be looked at, talked about with all parties involved, and the sensible implemented.  But, just banning an age group from riding or severely restricting an age group is not the answer. 
ATV Safety Training is.  Parental supervision is.  Common sense is.
There will be no way for anyone to enforce the age limit.  (Or will all kids have to carry State issued photo ID's?)
How can the ban be enforced on private land.  (My daughter fell of her bike, horse, skate board, etc)
What are the other injury, death rates for other activities of 17 and under individuals in Oregon.

Horseback riding
Swimming
Boating
Skate boarding
Bicycling ( I have a report from NHTSA that shows in Oregon in 2004,  9  people died while bike riding.  If you take 21% to represent just 15 and under the rate would be 2 very similar to ATV's.)

Sorry kids, you are to stay locked up in a rubber room until 18 then your on your own.

[vp insandity]

I will be sending Senator Alan Bates a nice long e-mail and invite him to an assembly down here in the Medford area. I will need lots of support of you and your families to show up and tell him that WE put him into office and all of the reasons and negative effects this bill will have on us Oregonians. THIS IS A TIME THAT WE MUST COME TOGETHER AND END THIS BILL before it gets any more twisted and hurts all of us.

[afterburner]

 
Not sure where they got their numbers, but I have seen the same article and I think someone was still using Sudafed before it left the shelves.

The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission 2005 Annual Report of All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV)-Related Deaths and Injuries (2006 report not issued yet) provides that there were 467 reported ATV related deaths in the nation, down from 609 in 2004 which was down from 636 in 2003 (note: there are some estimates that are higher due to incomplete reporting processes, but this will work for our discussions).  So, that is a good thing.  Of those, approximately 30% were under the age of 16 and 12% were under the age of 12.  The same percentage applies to ATV related injuries.  On the surface, this sounds grim, but here’s the kicker that they never tell the press or you.  In 2003, there were an estimated 6.2 million ATV’s in use, 6.9 million in 2004 and 7.6 million in 2005.

That means that during 2005, ATV related deaths accounted for .0061 percent of ATV’s in use.  Anybody care to compare that to other sport injury and death statistics?  Plus, the overall injury estimates in the U.S. increased by 500 between 2004 and 2005, yet ATV’s in use increased by 700,000!  Compare that from 2003 to 2004 whereas ATV’s increased again by 700,000 but the injury rate increased by 13,100.  Got news for you, ATV rider safety is getting better and our statistics reflect that.  In fact, the CPSC reports that the risk estimate has steadily decreased since 2001.  Now, Oregon is somewhat better, statistically speaking, because certain dealer reports show a marked increase in ATV sales that is higher than the national average, yet the death and injury rates indicate a decreasing trend.  Oregon boasts the lowest rate of any state with similar ATV demographics.  Obviously, each death is incredibly painful and unacceptable.  But, to substantially change the current working statutes is not the solution to reducing the death and injury rates.  That will only increase risk and frustration. 

In my humble opinion, law enforcement needs to better regulate the current laws that we have all accepted and abided by for years.  Oregon Parks and Rec needs to get off their collective fannies and get motivated.  Create effective training and education programs.  For craps sake, I could even live with an OPRD given proficiency check of my eleven year old daughters riding abilities.  But to tell her to stay home after four years of safe riding and racing experience will only cause unnecessary grief and risk.

Oregon statistics show that legitimately registered OHV users represent over 15% of the entire Oregon population (US Census).  It’s probably more.  Our elected officials need to recognize that we are a significant and growing presence.  We may be in need of attention at times, but we shouldn’t be ignored and we certainly shouldn’t be eliminated.

Kudos to those that have submitted e-mails to their elected officials.  I commend your efforts and pray for success.

 

[vp insandity]

I have posted this on another forum RV.net. and they brought up another point. It doesn't affect only Oregonians, This affects ANYONE who rides the Oregon Dunes. Think about the impact this will have if it goes through. Many people will not come on vacation here, the entire state will lose revenue.
Posted on: January 18, 2007, 04:41:55 AMhere is an copy of my email I sent to Sen. Bates. I urge you to send him one and to be at the meeting when we get him down here. YOU put him into office and DON'T be afraid to tell him we will not stand for this and want him to drop this bill.

Senator Bates,

           I am writing you in response to senate bill 049. We are a
typical family here is Southern Oregon

the same type of family that voted you into office. I am writing you
now because I have 2 children that have been in tears all night due to
this bill you are sponsoring. Both of my children and my wife and I
have all been through ATV safety training. We have enjoyed the sport
since the little one was 10 months old. Garrett (7) has made this a
life style that he doesn't want to ever give up and says when he gets
older he would like to do the same for his children. It has created
many family memories as well as made many friends in this state and
many adjoining states. I have posted this topic on many different
forums and the responses are incredible. Here are just a few comments
they left.

1. If this goes through, not only does it hurt Oregonians, Many of us
that come with our families, stay in hotels. camp in campgrounds and
tour the state will NOT COME. This is a family sport and is intended
for all the family.

2.It should be that all children go through an ATV safety course and
be educated, not striped of the ability to join the family on a sport
they have enjoyed for Years.

I Am the Vice President of TemporaryInsandity an Off road club here in
southern Oregon and would like to invite you to an assembly here (you
chose the date) to hear from our club members (over 300 families
strong) and the MRA ( over 3000) strong who are against this bill. I
really feel if you hear from us who are in the fields and see this
every month, It is our family, our lifestyle, We helped you by voting
you into office, PLEASE don't take away our life with our Children.


Patrick Bates
Central Point, Or

541-664-8394

Posted on: January 18, 2007, 05:44:18 AMhere are some more stats sent to me by the MRA. Why don't they take a look at this and Take away all of our AMERICAN sports. I also sent this to Sen. Bates.

Sports Injury Statistics

How frequently do sports injuries occur?
In the United States, about 30 million children and teens participate in some form of organized sports, and more than 3.5 million injuries each year, which cause some loss of time of participation, are experienced by the participants. Almost one-third of all injuries incurred in childhood are sports-related injuries. By far, the most common injuries are sprains and strains.

 

Obviously, some sports are more dangerous than others. For example, contact sports such as football can be expected to result in a higher number of injuries than a non-contact sport such as swimming. However, all types of sports have a potential for injury, whether from the trauma of contact with other players or from overuse or misuse of a body part.

Injury statistics and incidence rates:
The following statistics are the latest available from the National SAFE KIDS Campaign and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP):

Injury rates:
More than 3.5 million children ages 14 and under get hurt annually playing sports or participating in recreational activities.


Although death from a sports injury is rare, the leading cause of death from a sports-related injury is a brain injury.


Sports and recreational activities contribute to approximately 21 percent of all traumatic brain injuries among American children.


Almost 50 percent of head injuries sustained in sports or recreational activities occur during bicycling, skateboarding, or skating incidents.


More than 775,000 children, ages 14 and under, are treated in hospital emergency rooms for sports-related injuries each year. Most of the injuries occurred as a result of falls, being struck by an object, collisions, and overexertion during unorganized or informal sports activities.
Where and when:
Playground, sports, and bicycle-related injuries occur most often among young children, between the ages of 5 and 9 years old. Bicycle- and sports-related injuries also affect older children, in addition to overexertion.


The highest rates of injury occur in sports that involve contact and collisions.


More severe injuries occur during individual sports and recreational activities.


Most organized sports-related injuries (62 percent) occur during practice.
Types of sports and recreational activities:
Consider the most recent statistics from the SAFE KIDS Campaign:

basketball
More than 205,400 children ages 5 to 14 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for basketball-related injuries.


baseball and softball
Nearly 108,300 children ages 5 to 14 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for baseball-related injuries. Baseball also has the highest fatality rate among sports for children ages 5 to 14, with three to four children dying from baseball injuries each year.


bicycling
Nearly 285,000 children ages 5 to 14 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for bicycle-related injuries.


football
Almost 185,700 children ages 5 to 14 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for football-related injuries.


ice skating
Nearly 10,600 children ages 5 to 14 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for ice skating-related injuries.


in-line skating
Nearly 27,200 children ages 5 to 14 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for in-line skating-related injuries.


skateboarding
More than 50,000 children ages 5 to 14 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for skateboarding-related injuries.


sledding
More than 15,000 children ages 5 to 14 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for sledding-related injuries.


snow skiing/snowboarding
More than 35,000 children ages 5 to 14 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for snow skiing-related injuries.


soccer
About 75,000 children ages 5 to 14 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for soccer-related injuries.


trampolines
Nearly 80,000 children ages 14 and under were treated in hospital emergency rooms for trampoline-related injuries.


ice hockey
According to a study published in the journal Pediatrics, over 18,000 young people under the age of 18 were treated in Emergency Departments for ice hockey-related injuries in 2001-2002.


 

[Dune Dude]

Here are a couple of links that are related.

http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/ATV/2006_leg_concepts.shtml#Proposals
discusses sensible proposals to minimize injuries for the Oregon 2007 Legislature
You can sign up to receive updates and provide feedback by going to mailto: atv.info@state.or.us

http://www.oohva.org/pages/news.html
offers some interesting stats on demographics and economics in the ATV world.
Posted on: January 18, 2007, 07:09:52 AMContact info for Senator Alan Bates of Ashland

Sen. Alan C. Bates (D)
District: 003
900 Court Street NE
Suite S-305
Salem OR, 97301
Phone: (503) 986-1703
Fax: (503) 986-1080
Email: sen.alanbates@state.or.us


State Representative

Contact info for Senator Richard Devlin

Sen. Richard Devlin (D)
District: 019
900 Court Street NE
Suite S-316
Salem OR, 97301-4073
Phone: (503) 986-1719
Fax: (503) 986-1987
Email: sen.richarddevlin@state.or.us


State Representative

[vp insandity]

Please email Sen Bates. They are in session RIGHT NOW. we have the links and phone numbers for them under this topic.

Pat.

PS. you can also send donations to Temporaryinsandity at Po box 3386 Central Point. to fight this Proposed bill.

Posted on: January 19, 2007, 05:30:59 PMhere is a link to these folks sponsoring the bill, It looks as though Johnson & Johoson is a primary  backer of this.

http://www.usa.safekids.org/tier3_cd.cfm?content_item_id=24170&folder_id=300

[afterburner]

 
Johnson and Johnson!! That figures.  What hypocrites!  Let's see, what has Johnson and Johnson done for you?  I can think of a few such as:

• The Cipher Stint, involved in a class action suit due to reported deaths caused by defects of the device.
  
  Stevens-Johnson syndrome, aka Motrin.
  
  The Ortho Evra® birth control patch, reputed to have serious side effects, including blood clots, heart attack, stroke, coma, and death.
  
  In a suit alleging that leading Pharmaceutical Company, Johnson and Johnson and Several Subsidiaries Misrepresented the Safety and Effectiveness of Anti-Psychotic Drug (Risperdal) – Then Influenced State Officials into Making the Suspect Drug a Standard Treatment in Public Mental Programs.
  
  The SureStep home blood glucose monitor, purported to contain alleged defects in measuring diabetics' blood glucose levels, which could produce grossly inaccurate results. Plaintiffs plead that the SureStep Meter and Strips were dangerously defective devices which could cause personal injury, even death.
  
  Remicade, produced by Johnson and Johnson, has been reported to be capable of allowing very serious diseases to appear in users, including tumors and cancers.[/[/color]li]
  
  
  And as for the accident in their article that prompted the efforts supporting the Bill, here's the article:
  Home > The Independent
  
  2-year-old killed in ATV crash
  Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007
  By Sara K. Taylor
  Staff Writer
  
  A 2-year-old La Plata boy was killed in an all-terrain vehicle accident Jan. 6. 
  Charles County sheriff’s officers responded to a home in Little Rock Place at 12:46 p.m. and learned that the boy, wearing a safety helmet, was operating a Baja Wilderness 50 four-wheeler in the front yard of his home. The vehicle is designed for children between the ages of 6 and 12, according to police.
  The boy’s mother turned the ATV off by the remote, but after the vehicle came to a stop, the wheels turned, causing the ATV to overturn on the boy, police said.
  The La Plata boy was taken to Civista Medical Center in La Plata by ambulance and transported by helicopter to Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where he was pronounced dead at 4:21 p.m.
  No charges were filed. Officer J. Timko is investigating.
  Since 1982, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission spokesman Scott Wolfson, there have been 53 ATV-related reported deaths in Maryland.
  ‘‘This is truly a tragic situation,” Wolfson said.
  Some organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommend that no child younger than 16 operate an ATV.
  
  Now, the Baja Wilderness 50 has no recalls and has not been identified by the CPSC as inherently dangerous.  The ATV had warnings clearly on the body that states: (along with a number 6 with a red slash-warning)
  Safety Information
  Baja Motorsports is concerned about ATV Safety.  This ATV is designed for operators 6 Years of age and older with proper adult supervision.  ATV’s are not toys and can be hazardous to operate.  Baja Motorsports recommends all riders take an ATV training course.  Always wear proper Safety Gear such as; a DOT approved helmet, eye protection, and protective clothing.  Please read and understand your owner’s manual for more information on rider training
  
  What happened is incredibly unfortunate, but why was a two year old on the ATV?  Why are we being punished for it?  Well, it may take a fight, but I will not idly stand by and watch this Bill get a heartbeat.  I received a response from Sen. Devlin and I "kindly" wrote back,  I'll let you know how it goes.  As for Johnson and Johnson.....they make nice powder that makes my grand-daughters tushy soft during diaper changes.  So, they must be ATV experts.
   

[vp insandity]

Johnson and Johnson!! That figures.  What hypocrites!  Let's see, what has Johnson and Johnson done for you?  I can think of a few such as:

• The Cipher Stint, involved in a class action suit due to reported deaths caused by defects of the device.
  
  Stevens-Johnson syndrome, aka Motrin.
  
  The Ortho Evra® birth control patch, reputed to have serious side effects, including blood clots, heart attack, stroke, coma, and death.
  
  In a suit alleging that leading Pharmaceutical Company, Johnson and Johnson and Several Subsidiaries Misrepresented the Safety and Effectiveness of Anti-Psychotic Drug (Risperdal) – Then Influenced State Officials into Making the Suspect Drug a Standard Treatment in Public Mental Programs.
  
  The SureStep home blood glucose monitor, purported to contain alleged defects in measuring diabetics' blood glucose levels, which could produce grossly inaccurate results. Plaintiffs plead that the SureStep Meter and Strips were dangerously defective devices which could cause personal injury, even death.
  
  Remicade, produced by Johnson and Johnson, has been reported to be capable of allowing very serious diseases to appear in users, including tumors and cancers.[/[/color]li]
  
  
  And as for the accident in their article that prompted the efforts supporting the Bill, here's the article:
  Home > The Independent
  
  2-year-old killed in ATV crash
  Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007
  By Sara K. Taylor
  Staff Writer
  
  A 2-year-old La Plata boy was killed in an all-terrain vehicle accident Jan. 6. 
  Charles County sheriff’s officers responded to a home in Little Rock Place at 12:46 p.m. and learned that the boy, wearing a safety helmet, was operating a Baja Wilderness 50 four-wheeler in the front yard of his home. The vehicle is designed for children between the ages of 6 and 12, according to police.
  The boy’s mother turned the ATV off by the remote, but after the vehicle came to a stop, the wheels turned, causing the ATV to overturn on the boy, police said.
  The La Plata boy was taken to Civista Medical Center in La Plata by ambulance and transported by helicopter to Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where he was pronounced dead at 4:21 p.m.
  No charges were filed. Officer J. Timko is investigating.
  Since 1982, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission spokesman Scott Wolfson, there have been 53 ATV-related reported deaths in Maryland.
  ‘‘This is truly a tragic situation,” Wolfson said.
  Some organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommend that no child younger than 16 operate an ATV.
  
  Now, the Baja Wilderness 50 has no recalls and has not been identified by the CPSC as inherently dangerous.  The ATV had warnings clearly on the body that states: (along with a number 6 with a red slash-warning)
  Safety Information
  Baja Motorsports is concerned about ATV Safety.  This ATV is designed for operators 6 Years of age and older with proper adult supervision.  ATV’s are not toys and can be hazardous to operate.  Baja Motorsports recommends all riders take an ATV training course.  Always wear proper Safety Gear such as; a DOT approved helmet, eye protection, and protective clothing.  Please read and understand your owner’s manual for more information on rider training
  
  What happened is incredibly unfortunate, but why was a two year old on the ATV?  Why are we being punished for it?  Well, it may take a fight, but I will not idly stand by and watch this Bill get a heartbeat.  I received a response from Sen. Devlin and I "kindly" wrote back,  I'll let you know how it goes.  As for Johnson and Johnson.....they make nice powder that makes my grand-daughters tushy soft during diaper changes.  So, they must be ATV experts.
   
  

This was posted by afterburner. Sen. Bates and Devlen must have gotten ahold of it and made it disappear from this forum. [/list][/list]

[bfdealdav]

Hey Everyone!
  Regarding measure 49... petitions are now being circulated in opposition to this measure. Please contact me if you would like to sign or circulate this petition. Due to my being "internet challenged" at this time, please call at 541-441-1934 and I will be faxing out the petition to all interested parties. Please feel free to copy the petition and get as many signatures as possible. Completed petitions should be mailed to Temporary Insandity, Stop 49, PO Box 3386, Central Point, OR 97502.
  It's good to see so many of us stepping up to recognize and oppose this arbitrary attack on our sport and families.
  I look forward to hearing from you, and as President of Temporary Insandity, I encourage you to take a strong aggressive stance against this legislation and the companies and Senators responsible for it.
  We will be releasing a press statement solidifying our position within 24 hours. Thanks for all your continuing support and...Happy Duning!

                                                                   David Petty  Pres. Temporary Insandity

[vp insandity]

Last night a few of the club members went to the arena cross in medford. Yamaha the sponsor announced about the proposed measre 49 and said Temporaryinsandity had petitions to sign. We had over 300 signitures from last night alone, Not to mention that Michael has them going up and down the Oregon coast, and at all of our local dealers for Signitures.
Good job.

Pat

[woodsrider]

 Some one needs to bring this to the attention of the Lars Larson show so it can be hear by all of Oregon.

[Sandprincess]

We were at the Arena Cross last night and signed the petition, as well as many of our friends.  We just bought our 8 yr old a quad 4 months ago and ride at the dunes about every other weekend.  This needs to be stopped.  I have posted a bulletin on my Myspace page letting everyone know that these petitions need to be signed.  Most of my friends have reposted the bulletin which means this is going to get out to a lot of people.   I would be more than happy to have a copy of the petition so I can get signatures.