Quads or atvs (all-terrain vehicles) are gaining popularity for both recreational and pragmatic purposes. Unfortunately there has always been a great safety concern with these vehicles as they pose very meager crash protection, coupled with most drivers’ poor judgment of not adhering to safety regulations and refusing to wear helmets. This makes them as dangerous as motorcycles, based on mortality and injury scores.
Steps have been taken in the design of the vehicle to reduce the chances of accidents occurring such as thumb throttles, roll cages, better weight distribution etc.
Thumb throttles were introduced to atvs and snowmobiles because there primary mode of turning depends on the response to steering changes unlike bikes where your body weight also has a significant effect.
The thumb throttle is used because in fact it is safer and more effective. Generally when using grip or twist throttles the driver tends to increase or decrease the force applied depending on the direction they are turning, this increases the risk of losing control over the vehicle in question.
Atvs and snowmobiles adopted thumb throttles because they do not possess the ability to lean into turns. if you lose control of the quad, you are less likely to pump more gas when you are using a thumb throttle, whereas the case is usually very different when it comes to twist throttles. Surveys of the people involved in motorcycle accidents claimed that they either ‘froze’ or veered away too fast. In tense situations it is an innate response of the hands to squeeze or twist in an attempt to ‘hang-on’ as they say, this reflex is many a times the reason for the increase in speed prior to impact.
Manufactures today observe safety regulations and manufacturing standards whereby fitting every atv with a thumb throttle.
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