As injuries and deaths involving side-by-side recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs) continue to be reported to the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission (CPSC), the CPSC warns consumers to use caution and responsibility when using any of these vehicles, especially Yamaha Rhino ROVs.
In March of 2009, after they investigated 46 deaths involving certain Rhino ROV models, the CPSC teamed with Yamaha Motor Corp. to institute a free repair program for all Rhino 450, 660, and 700 models, affecting approximately 145,000 vehicles.
The CPSC encourages all owners of these models to bring their Rhinos to Yamaha dealerships and get free upgrades to enhance the safety of their vehicles. The upgrades consist of installing a spacer bar on the rear wheels, removing the rear anti-sway bar, and, if the vehicles do not already have them, installing half doors and additional passenger handholds. These repairs should make the Rhinos more stable and reduce the potential for rollover. The CPSC emphasizes that consumers should avoid driving their Rhinos until they get the Yamaha Motor Corp. repairs.
In spite of the free upgrades, the number of fatalities involving those models of Rhino ROVs continues to climb, pushing 60 as of June 23, 2009. The deaths and injuries tend to result from rollover incidents at relatively low speeds on level surfaces. Because the repairs in and of themselves do not ensure Rhino ROV safety, consumers are strongly encouraged to follow a number of safety rules.
The CPSC urges all riders to wear seatbelts and helmets properly ever time and always obey on-product warnings. Rhinos should only be driven off the road, never on public roads or paved surfaces. All Rhino drivers should be licensed drivers over the age of 16 and all passengers should be tall enough to place both feet on the floor.
-Amanda Simays