Senators Heller, Manchin introduce bipartisan legislation for off-road safety standards

Earlier this week, the ROV in-Depth Examination (RIDE) Act, legislation introduced by U.S. Sens. Dean Heller (R-NV) and Joe Manchin (D-WV), passed the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee vote and was approved for consideration by the full Senate.

The bipartisan bill would stop the mandatory standards currently proposed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regarding lateral stability in off-road or all-terrain vehicles.

“Off-road vehicles play a major role in enabling many Nevadans to enjoy the outdoors and the Silver State’s way of life,” Heller said. “It is critical to the safety of Nevadans that these standards actually reduce the risk of injury, not increase it. I’m proud to see this bipartisan legislation, which ensures the regulation is implemented correctly, moved through committee on such a positive note.”

The standards create
requirements regarding vehicle handling that many fear could result in
negative safety consequences, limiting vehicles’ ability to access
difficult terrain.

“The recreational off-road vehicle industry has demonstrated its commitment to safety by updating voluntary standards as recently as last year,” Manchin said. “It is a shame that we have to introduce legislation to require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to actually review those standards, but I am pleased this bipartisan legislation has passed out of the Commerce Committee. In West Virginia alone, this industry contributes $1.2 billion to the economy each year and is a major engine for economic growth. This legislation brings a bit more common sense to Washington.”