An ATV accident near Lake Texoma, Oklahoma, a popular spring break vacation spot, again highlights how tragedies can happen when kids are allowed to operate ATVs.
A nine-year-old girl died when the ATV she was driving flipped over, also injuring an eight-year-old passenger on the ATV.
Although the American Academy of Pediatrics has long supported laws that 'prohibit the use of ATVs, on- or off-road, by children and adolescents younger than 16 years,' the ATV laws in Oklahoma are still rather weak. They simply require a helmet for all riders under 18 years if they are on public lands. In contrast, even Texas requires direct adult supervision if a child is less than 14-years-old and sets minimum ages for riding ATVs based on ATV engine size.
Coverage of this Oklahoma ATV tragedy was also disturbing. A report on KXII-TV stated that 'most experts we talked to say while there is no minimum age for kids to operate these machines, if they start early and develop good habits kids can operate 4-wheelers in a safe manor.'
Not sure what 'experts' they talked with, as again, safety experts from the AAP recommend a total ban on kids riding ATVs. Although many states aren't going that far yet, some are starting to set some limits, such as Massachusetts, which no longer allows kids under age 14 to drive ATVs.
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EXCELLENT ARTICLE! States need to get tougher if ATV legislation involving children under 16 years of age. We have laws to drive cars yet some states have nothing when it comes to ATV’s and some would say ATV’s are ALOT more dangerous because they take skill to drive and have no protection around them. Wake up America, we are allowing our children to die and be injured for a few minutes of so called “family fun”. Think again before allowing your child to ride an ATV…..you don’t get second chances!
I agree with Susan. ATVs are not toys and are not babysitters. Children under the age of 16 lack the cognitive and physical skills needed to handle these machines.Until people wake up more and more children will die needlessly.
I can tell that either one of you own or use atv’s so let me tell you about it I started riding at the age of 8 i had no accidents until i was over the age of 16 which is about the time i decided i mastered the machine bottom line is that kids are capable of handling these machines if parents are able to teach safe handling of this machine so in reality lets not blame the atv or the kids when it sits with lazy and poor parenting skills so i have to say i disagree with the satatements earlier left
i didnt see anything?
I totally agree with the use of wearing a helmet i came off a quad/atv a month ago today and sustained 2 skull fractures and a broken collar bone and im also a bit deaf in one ear as it was pumping blood due to the fractures. i had to undergo emergency brain surgery to remove large hemotomas from the font and rear of my skull. its a miracle im still alive with no brain damage or disability but, its how the accident occured that is the scary part i had just driven 260 miles round trip to buy the quad a 400cc kodiak grizzy bear farm quad, i unloaded it off the trailer and went out a by road for a spin. i hadnt gone more than 20 feet when i suddenly felt weak..i dont kknow how to properly explain it but i faintd/blacked-out and my onlooking cousin thought i was asleep at the wheel..i drove a further 20 feet before crashing it a wooden stake which felw me up in the air and i travelled roughly 25 feet landing on my head and shoulder and hip..i had 2 little stones from the road imbedded in my head that my mother removed on the ambulnce to hospital!Its a long road to recovery but time is on my side now. If you ever doubted the need for a helmet on a quad..my story should be the last time you ever have them doubts again. Safe driving!:)
Brian in Ireland