New Child Safety Media Releases

Summer Safety Releases

All Terrain Vehicles (ATV's) are an enjoyed activity for many. There are many trails, forests and open land to enjoy while riding an ATV. As with all vehicles, there are safety concerns to consider. ATV Safety and specifically ATV safety for children is a highly debated topic for several reasons. The most important being the risk of injury involved to children and adults who operate and ride ATVs. According to a study done by 2 neurosurgeon's at University of Utah Health Sciences, head and spin injuries related to ATV accidents cost 3.2 billion dollars every year across the United States. In the state of Massachusetts between 2004-2005, 900 children were injured while riding an ATV. Many countries have different ATV laws some none at all. For example in Ontario, Canada you must have a valid driver's licence to operate an off road vehicle such as an ATV. Currently state law for Massachusetts in the US allows for a child, who is at least 10 years old to ride on an ATV provided the child is supervised by an adult.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that no children under the age of 16 should ride ATVs and they are not alone. Many parents, child safety advocates and other organizations are calling for tougher more restrictive safety laws. In fact, there is a child safety advocate group in Massachusetts currently lobbying for the state government to increase the minimum age for riding ATVs to at least 14 years old. For more on the Massachusetts story click here.

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