Mississippi Senate Passes ATV Safety Bill

The Mississippi Senate has passed a bill requiring safety measures for young ATV riders, sending the bill to the governor for consideration.

The bill would require riders and passengers under age 16 who ride on public land to wear a helmet and complete a safety course. Organizations approved by the state Department of Public Safety could hold the courses.

Sen. Walter Michel, R-Jackson, commended Sen. Gray Tollison, D-Oxford, on including a provision to expand the requirements to passengers.

Advocates for children’s health have criticized the bill’s narrow scope. Mississippi’s death rate for ATV riders under 16 is significantly higher than the national rate.

Tollison said that the bill is only a “first step” in preventing injury on ATVs.