Governor signs Blakeslee’s Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Child Safety Legislation

SACRAMENTO – Assembly Sam Blakeslee announced today that Governor Schwarzenegger has signed AB 2755, a measure he introduced designed to promote safety and responsible riding of off-highway vehicles by children under the age of 14.

California currently requires adult supervision of youth all-terrain recreational riders. However, any violations of this provision result in infractions assessed against the child. Under AB 2755 parents and guardians become directly responsible for the supervision of children under the age of 14, and require enforcement actions to be directed at them.

AB 2755 further promotes safe riding by encouraging the courts to require the child and responsible adult, upon receiving the first infraction for improper supervision, to take and complete an OHV safety training course, in lieu of a fine or other penalty.

"Education is paramount to ensuring responsible riding of off-highway vehicles", said Blakeslee. "The first goal should be to correct improper behavior through instruction, and encourage responsibility for the supervision and safety of young riders in our OHV communities."

The idea for AB 2755 originated with a visit to Oceano Dunes State Park last summer. During a ride-along with Oceano Dunes Superintendent Andrew Zilke, Blakeslee noted that when children were not under the direct supervision of an adult, rangers lacked the ability to address the situation without assessing an infraction to the child, oftentimes without the knowledge of an adult.

That experience led to working closely over the past year with Superintendent Zilke, State Parks and Recreation officials in Sacramento, and off-road groups to craft the legislation ultimately signed by the Governor. The result is an additional tool that parks officials say will allow them to promote off-road recreational youth safety.

"We fully support the efforts of Assemblyman Blakeslee to promote safe and responsible off-road vehicle recreational use, especially among our younger children", said Jim Suty, President of the Friends of Oceano Dunes. "AB 2755 benefits the entire off-road community by recognizing the responsibility of the vast majority of our riders, while ensuring irresponsible adults are held accountable for the safety and well being of their children."

For more information please contact Christine Robertson, District Director for Assemblyman Blakeslee, at (805) 549-3381.

###