CPSC Calls for Mandatory ROV Standards

By Michele Wallace

Published on November 24, 2009

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is asking for mandatory rules to regulate recreational off highway vehicles (ROVs) such as the Yamaha Rhino. The commission will vote to decide if guidelines should be implemented.

Products that are a potential safety hazard, including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), already have a set of guidelines outlined by the CPSC. The standards for ATVs were put in place this year after a federal product-safety law passed. ROVs are not included in the ATV category due to differences in design, and therefore do not have to adhere to ATV safety guidelines.

ROV sales have experienced a surge in popularity in recent years - as have ROV-related accidents. Consumer groups claim that ROV accident injuries and deaths are due to poor design and lack of regulation.

The CPSC staff has stated that improvements in the vehicle's lateral stability and handling and use of seat belts could reduce the number of ROV rollover accidents.

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