A prominent Canadian pediatric group recently stated that all children should be banned from driving all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in Canada. The Canadian Pediatric Society has called for ATV age restrictions before, but it recently reiterated its position again, stating that given the high rate of devastating injuries and deaths that still occur in ATV accidents involving children, it’s apparent that injury prevention measures currently in place are not working.
The call from our northern neighbors echoes a similar warning issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics, which stated, “Simply put, ATVs are dangerous to children, [because they] are not developmentally capable of operating these heavy, complex machines.”
The chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says that ATVs are the fifth deadliest product the commission oversees. She told the TODAY Show, “Every year 700 people die and 136,000 go to the emergency room because of ATV related injuries.”
What has the pediatric groups up in arms is the steep increase in serious ATV-related child injury accidents. Studies have shown that between 1997 and 2006, the number of children injured in ATV accidents in the U.S. rose 140%. Disturbingly, during that same time period there was a 368% jump in spinal injuries. In 2010, there were 28,000 children under age 16 that were seriously injured and at least 55 were killed in ATV accidents nationwide.
In Florida, ATV riders younger than 16 are required to complete a safety course to be able to ride on public lands. They must also wear helmets when riding.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an ATV accident due to the negligence of another or due to defective equipment, contact the ATV accident attorneys in Jacksonville at Farah & Farah in Florida to learn more about your legal options. We can be reached at (800) 533-3555.