| ATVs are known as all terrain vehicles, quad or four | | | | law but a manufacturer and CPSC recommendation. |
| wheeler. It's a vehicle that travels on low pressure | | | | The American Academy of Pediatrics and the CPSC |
| tires, a seat that is straddled by the operator with | | | | actually recommend that no children under the age of |
| handlebars for steering. These vehicles are able to | | | | 16 should ride an ATV. A Canadian study went |
| handle a variety of terrain and are street legal in | | | | further and stated that the injury patterns, severity |
| some countries but not the United States, Canada or | | | | and cost to the healthcare system of pediatric |
| the United Kingdom. | | | | injuries associated to ATVs resemble those caused |
| The extra wheels give the ATV more stability at | | | | by motor vehicles and public policies should reflect |
| slower speeds than a motorcycle, but when they | | | | that fact. |
| were first introduced in the 1970s there were | | | | The United States government actually maintains a |
| alarming injury rates for children and adolescents. | | | | website about ATV safety and recommends not |
| According to medical texts, ATVs are just as | | | | driving an ATV with a passenger because the extra |
| dangerous as motorcycles though there is a much | | | | person makes it difficult or impossible to shift weight |
| lower rate of helmet usage on ATVs. | | | | which is required to drive an ATV. Another |
| The Consumer Product Safety Commission in the | | | | recommendation is to not drive an ATV on paved |
| United States released figures for 2005 that an | | | | roads because they have solid rear axles with no |
| estimated 136,700 injuries were associated with | | | | differential. There are also many websites about the |
| ATVs in the United States and 767 people died. The | | | | danger of ATVs which have been created by |
| risk of injury was 171.5 injuries per 10,000 ATVs and | | | | parents and relatives of children killed by ATVs. |
| the risk of death was 1.1 deaths per 10,000 ATVs. | | | | Many of the common ATV injuries could be |
| Data from 2004 showed that 44,000 children under | | | | prevented with proper safety equipment such as |
| the age of 16 were injured while riding ATVs and 150 | | | | helmet, eyewear, gloves and riding boots. Aggressive |
| children died. | | | | riders that ride on challenging terrain such as rock |
| ATVs are now mandated to have a label stating | | | | crawling or hill climbing should wear a motocross style |
| these vehicles greater than 90cc should not be used | | | | chest protector and shin guards as well. |
| by riders under the age of 12. However this is not a | | | | |