THIRTY-NINE PEOPLE COMPLETE LOCAL ATV SAFETY COURSE AT CLATSOP FAIR

The Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce the successful completion of five days of Public ATV Safety Training held in conjunction with the Clatsop County Fair, Aug. 2-6.

Over the five days, 39 ATV enthusiasts received ATV safety training under two separate programs, one developed by the ATV Safety Institute, and a brand new ATV Youth Evaluation Program developed by Oregon State University and 4H. The ATV Safety Institute training is a 4-hour session and is available to youth and adults. The OSU/4H program takes two hours to complete and is available to youth under age 16 only.

Of the 39 completing the training, 26 were youth under age 16. These youth are now in compliance with a new Oregon law that becomes effective January 1, 2012 requiring youth under 16 operating an ATV on public lands in Oregon to have completed a Hands-on ATV training.

The Sheriff’s Office will continue to offer these ATV Safety Training opportunities periodically as the new laws approach and become effective.

Members of the public have an opportunity to become volunteer ATV Youth Evaluators under the 4H/OSU program. Interested persons may contact Deputy Michael Nelson at the Sheriff’s Office or by phone at (503) 791-4978 for further information and a volunteer evaluator application.

The Sheriff’s Office thanks the Clatsop County Fair Board and Fair Manager Gary Friedman for their commitment to this program, without which these opportunities may not have been offered. Also thanks to Sean Duncan, a local youth and ATV Ridercourse graduate who volunteered his time all five days of training to assist and demonstrate key skills for the students.

Congratulations to all those who completed the training and are taking a proactive approach to safe, fun, and sensible ATV riding.