Possible Ban for Children on ATVs

TxDoc · August 21, 2002

By Anne Marie Kelly

WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - A consumer group says the number of injuries and deaths involving all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) is on the rise in the US, with an increasing number of these accidents involving children.

The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) released a new report documenting the rising number of child injuries and deaths related to all-terrain vehicles, which have been on the market for more than 30 years.

The report found that between 1993 and 2001, the number of ATV-related injuries to children younger than 16 increased 94%, to 34,800. The overall number of ATV-related injuries more than doubled, to 111,700, during the same period.

What's more, the CFA found, at least 4,500 Americans have been killed while riding ATVs over the last 20 years, with 38% being children younger than 16.

"This report documents that self-regulation by the ATV industry has led to larger and faster ATVs and more children being killed and injured," said Rachel Weintraub, a lawyer for the CFA. "We need to end this hidden epidemic."

She said the industry has failed to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities in ATV accidents because more than 95% of children younger than 16 involved in these accidents ride adult-size machines, and only 4% of these riders ever received formal training.

Weintraub said that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which in 1988 banned the use of three-wheel ATVs, needs to review and strengthen its safety standards for four-wheel ATVs and take a closer look at children's use.

"The ATV safety crisis poses a serious threat to the health of children too young to drive," said Dr. Rebeccah Brown, assistant director of trauma services at Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. "Doctors and nurses in emergency rooms nationwide are treating increasing numbers of children every year."

Cited in the CFA's report is a recent study in the Journal of Pediatric Surgery, which compared the numbers of children involved in bicycle accidents to those involving ATVs from 1991 to 2000. The study found that children with ATV injuries suffered more multiple injuries and required longer hospital stays than those with bicycle injuries.

More alarming, said Brown, who was on the team that conducted the study, was that 93% of ATV injuries occurred in children age 15 and younger, with 33% of those injuries suffered by children under 10 years, and 10% in children under 5 years of age.

Brown said the report concluded with a recommendation calling for a ban on the use of ATVs by children--a move also called for by the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.

But short of a ban, mandatory safety measures could cut ATV injuries and deaths among children, according to Dr. Jim Helmkamp of the Center for Rural Emergency Medicine at West Virginia University.

Helmkamp conducted a study of his and six other states in which there are no safety requirements for children operating ATVs. He found that the rates of injuries and fatalities in states with no safety requirements were twice as high as those in states with such measures.

The CFA joined a coalition of eight other medical, consumer and conservation groups in filing a joint petition with the CPSC Tuesday calling for the agency to take aggressive steps to protect children from the dangers of ATVs. These recommendations include enacting laws in every state that ban children younger than 16 from operating an ATV and that prohibit children in this age group from using an adult-size ATV.

In addition, the coalition called on states to impose laws that would institute the licensing of ATV drivers and provide training for ATV operation. They also said manufacturers should be required to refund consumers for adult-size ATVs bought for use by children younger than 16.

The Irvine, California-based Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, which represents the ATV industry, could not be reached for comment.

In a related story, Arctic Cat, Inc., of Thief River Falls, Minnesota, announced Tuesday it is recalling over 45,000 of its 2002 model ATVs, in cooperation with the CPSC. According to a statement issued by the CPSC, "ball joints on the front suspension of these ATVs can fail, resulting in a loss of control" and possible accident. So far Arctic Cat has received 73 reports of broken front suspensions, including 10 accidents involving minor injuries to riders.

The following 2002 models are included in the recall: 250, 300, 300 Massey Ferguson, 375, 400, 400i, 500, TBX 500, and 500i. Detailed photos of the vehicles under recall are on view at www.cpsc.gov.

"Consumers should stop using these vehicles immediately," the CPSC warns. For more information on the recall, call Arctic Cat at (800) 210-5941, or visit their Web site at www.arctic-cat.com.

HillHound · August 21, 2002

Well-I won't quit using mine anytime soon. If ATVs are used properly they are safe. What the data posted above fails to mention is the number of ATV accidents that are drug/alcohol related. The last I saw it was something like 70% of all fatal ATV crashes involved alcohol.

How stupid is this?:

"They also said manufacturers should be required to refund consumers for adult-size ATVs bought for use by children younger than 16."

I bought my 400cc ATV over 2 years ago, and it says right on the fender on a plactic warning placard: Do not operate unless you are over age 16. Possible severe injury and death may result.

Also says on warning tags riveted to the machine: Do not operate with a passenger, do not operate if you are under influence of alsohol or drugs, do not operate on public roads. The point is, manufactures are doing everything thay can to keep kids off of these machines. Heck-when I bought mine, Yamaha even offered a discount if you took an approved safety course.

More (many more) people die in the US each year from alcohol abuse and tobacco use, both of which are government supervised legal substances. So when these fairies ban alcohol, tobacco and take care of our illegal drug epidemic which also kills tons of kids....well then we will talk about ATVs.

Until then....you gotta catch me first!! BTW-I've been riding ATVs (riding hard too) for 10 years and no injuries aside from lots of scratches and bruises from riding through brush and briers.

Thanks for the heads up info TXDOC.

MarkD · August 21, 2002

I agree Hill hound.

I do have one counter point though.

Around here at least, there are a lot of spoiled kids that "want" a 4 wheeler, so they get a 4 wheeler. My wife has 3 cousins that are really too young to ride, but their parents couldn't say no.

I see the same behavior in resort "campgrounds" with kids on Golf carts.

The law is no substitute for responsible parenting.

HillHound · August 21, 2002

I hear you Mark. How about prosecuting the irresponsible parents instead of the ATV manufacturers? That would put a stop to all this, I'll bet! :unclesam:

They can only do so much to make a product safe. At some point the consumer has to accept some responsibility for idiotic behavior. I would never even think of letting a 5yr old operate an ATV. What do I know? ???

August 21, 2002

Why does our government insist that everyone EXCEPT parents take responsibility for our kids!?!?!

If you buy 11 year old Junior a 40 hp atv, a cheap helmet, and never properly instruct him on riding, or even better, pay an expert to help, what do you think will happen?!?!

gmcjoe · August 21, 2002

IMO parents need to educate their children how to use machines like 4 wheelers, snowmobiles, boats properly. Anyone of age should be required to take a saftey class and have an operators permit.

Prime example, here in Michigan there are more registered boat owners than anyplace, yet all that is required to operate a powerboat is a checkbook to buy the boat and gas. There should be a mandatory class/test/license to operate powerboats over a certain HP rating or other qualification. Too many a$$holes out there.

Having owned/operated PWC on Michigan lakes I can't tell you how many times I've had close calls with powerboat owners who were either not paying attention or were paying attention and came TOO close.

MarkD · August 21, 2002

This is really a devisive subject.

I normally lean toward what might be called extreme conservativism.

I want to live my life without the intrusion of the government. I see the logic in the proposed law, but really think it is the wrong way to fix the problem (as GMCJoe stated).

There are a multitude of problems that were solved differently/better by the people (mother, grandparents, Uncles, aunts, church members) that raised me.

If I rode my dirt bike (yamaha yz?80 bought at police auction for $55 that I had to fix up) in the street, I had it taken away for a month and I got a beating.

If I broke/lost someone elses property, every penny I had went to replace it until they were reimbursed. My mom actually sold my Nintendo to a pawn shop to pay for a window my baseball broke (she had the money, but taught me a lesson).

At around 9 years old, my wife and her brother got into a fight, a fist fight, big time. The punishment, both were put in a tobacco field with a single 5 gallon water cooler to pull weeds for a day. A sandwich was brought to them for lunch. They are 20 years older now and have never gotten in another fight.

I hope I am wise enough as a parent to find innovative ways like this to teach my children how to live.

Roofer · August 21, 2002

I'm not a parent, but parenting is the problem. Every kid that I have hired lately just knows everything and won't listen to a thing. It is getting really bad. Parents just don't teach their kids anything about respect. It's the same deal with guns. When I was younger I knew not to even think about touching a gun even though the cabinet was unlocked. Nowdays, kids are picking them up and shooting everyone. ATV's are the same. Kids need the discipline and maturity to get priveleges like this. Just because little Billy rides doesn't mean anyone his age can ride. This is where parents have to step in and say "no, not until you learn to ride safely and correctly". Instead, these kids are given an ATV just to keep them from whining and crying. I had atv's, snowmobiles, and dirt bikes since I was 8 yrs old, but I never abused my privelege to ride them.

I think they should go about it a different way. Kids are gonna ride them no matter what, so why not have free training courses. Like I said, it's the same as guns. All kids when you are 12 you take a gun safety course. Why not do that with atvs?

GreenRado · August 21, 2002

Touchy subject no doubt. I am certainly for personal responsibility, especially when it comes to protecting your children - I expect that a vast majority do this very well w/ respect to ATV/motorcycle/jet ski/guns, etc, etc. The problem is that the personal responsibility thing doesn't always work - there will always be a certain proportion of the population that will abuse the priviledge, either by negligence or lack of understanding or maturity.

My cynical side says, well so what, it's their problem, and I say this is true w/ adults - particularly w/ things like seatbelts and helmets - if they don't want to wear them, I say as long as they aren't endangering anyone else, have at it!! But we're talking kids here, so that's a different ball game.

IMHO the issue really boils down to, how do we (the gov't, etc) protect those children who have parents/guardians who don't take the personal responsibility to properly train and supervise their kids with these types of things. I definitely agree, parenting, or lack thereof IS the problem.

I am not saying a ban is the answer - I always favor less regulation, but maybe society needs to look into the problem. I don't think there are any easy answers, though.

MarkD · August 21, 2002

I am not saying a ban is the answer - I always favor less regulation, but maybe society needs to look into the problem.

I believe a ban will only make criminals out of law abiding citizens.

One of the problems appears to be the idea that "if your kid gets hurt on one, sue the mfg." It is not the mfg's responsibility to keep your kid safe on an ATV, or with a gun, or with a Golf Cart, etc.

These things can get out of hand quickly. Just look at child car seats! Our state requires children to be kept in a child car seat until 8 YEARS OLD OR 80 POUNDS!!! That is a crock of ____!! The car seat mfgs. have got to be loving this one. Also, bigger car seats require bigger cars/SUV's/Vans (more expensive=happy car mfg), bigger cars are less efficient cars (worse gas mileage=oil/gas companies are happy).

We have a 4 door Accord that is not big enough to carry 2 car seats comfortably for more than a couple miles!!! A friend traded an Altima in on a Denali XL mainly for the extra room to carry his 2 daughters!!

Roofer · August 21, 2002

The clips I saw on the news were pathetic. There was a clip of a little girl maybe 6 years old driving a big bore quad with huge mud tires on it. Come on parents, where is your head! I barely let my 21 yr old girlfriend ride my machines, let alone a 6 yr old. Most of the clips showed kids that couldn't even reach the foot rests. I have 4 nieces, two of which are 16, but I still don't let them ride unless I am there. They just don't have the experience yet. If they don't listen to what I have to say, they don't ride. Simple as that.

Accidents do happen. Nobody can do anything about that, but there is a thing called common sense.

Another thing is that some 14-15 yr olds are just too big for a youth 90 cc atv. This could create problems also. Some are saying there is no easy answer, but there is. Parents::: Take care of your kids and teach them the right way. You can always blame someone else(like the manufacturer or state laws), but it is too late once someone gets hurt.

SilveradoWV · August 21, 2002

I am sure Hillhound can relate to what I am about to say because ATV accidents are on the news and in newspapers here in WV alot! But what makes me mad is that probably 99% of the accidents which result in injury or death here in WV are due to: More than one person on an ATV (I rember once where a woman and 3 little kids were on one, no helmets and they lost control and everyone went rolling off). Also the helmet thing everytime the news reports an accident or death the rider wasnt wearing a helmet! You hardly ever hear of a single person wearing a helmet on an ATV had injuries from an accident! Not saying they dont have accidents, just that they are not injured enough to make the news! I am a firm believer in Helmets, I wear mine everywhere I go, I feel naked without it!!!! I have been riding since I was 5 years old!!!!!! And I dont take it easy either, I have gotten myself into some situations I never want to get into again! And I dont ride really slow either kind of faster than most! Another thing that I think helps save lives is EXPERIENCE, I started out just riding in my yard then over the years start doing stuff a little more dangerous, Now I feel like I have a very good understanding of what I can and cannot do on my ATV!

MarkD · August 21, 2002

ATV injuries around here happen to people not wearing helments because no one wears helments that I have seen.

One of my wifes cousins wears full protective gear (he's 7). He owns a Honda Recon btw.

hogger999 · August 21, 2002

According to my calculations from what they are saying. There have been a little under 1800 deaths of kids under 16 in an 8 yr. period. While I personaly believe that no one should have to out live their own children and that there is nothing more tragic than a childs death. I have to wonder. What would the numbers be on this age group that drowned while swimming unsupervised or choked on a piece of candy they shouldn't of had.

I'm I wrong or do we not already have laws about adult ATV's and under 16yo riders. I'm pretty sure IL does. I know the last wheeler I bought was covered in warnings. Sad really.

Here's a Law for ya. "If you can't make your children act responsibly. Then you will be held responsible for their actions."

We have all seen "adults" who had no business on an ATV. But when I was in 7th grade a good friend of mine (same age) raced a 500cc Suzuki quadracer every weekend. He was awsome. I would hate to think what would have happened if big brother stepped in and said "Sorry son, not till your 16".

Now, I have a friend who rides dirt bikes and he bought a little E-ton four wheeler for his 6 and 7 year olds to ride. The cc's of this thing aren't even enough to matter but they NEVER ride at the same time, without a helment, or without being under very close supervision. I wonder who will get hurt first them or someone who get's turned loose on one at 16.