All terrain vehicles, used for off-road recreation especially in rural areas, are responsible for a significant number of pediatric injuries and deaths, despite the American Academy of Pediatrics’ advice that children under the age of 16 should not be using ATVs. The AAP’s position has been echoed by Consumer Reports coverage through the years as well.

A recent research abstract presented at the AAP’s October conference showed that injuries continue to rise. In fact, more children are injured in ATV accidents than in bicycle accidents. According to the abstract, children accounted for one-third of the 130,000 to 150,000 ATV-related emergency department visits each year. Even more sobering, children comprise one quarter of the more than 800 deaths from ATV-related incidents. Head injuries were responsible for most of the deaths.

“Knowledge about ATV safety may be limited and rural communities may have a greater acceptance of risk,” said Charles A. Jennissen, M.D., lead author of the forthcoming study. “If so, children are often impacted by that greater acceptance.”

Dr. Jennissen looked at ATV injury data from the University of Iowa from 2002 to 2009, and found that 30 percent of those injured were 16 years of age or younger. He said that injuries result from rollovers, children being trapped under the machine, or from being ejected from the ATV in a crash. In many cases, the children were passengers. The ATVs in his study were not designed to carry passengers.

Dr. Jennissen identified several possible factors for the increase.

ATV use has increased—there were an estimated10.2 million ATVs in the United States, and the ATVs have become bigger and faster, some weighing more than 800 pounds and capable of speeds exceeding 80 miles per hour.

Many kids are driving adult-sized machines that are not designed for them. “Some of those machines are monsters,” said Dr. Jennissen. Children involved in these incidents were usually not wearing helmets, nor were they supervised by parents or other adults. According to Dr. Jennissen, “regular bicycle helmets are not adequate.”

Although children under 16 are not supposed to use ATVs, the reality is that many do. “We know children are using these machines. We need to be knowledgeable enough to discuss with families the safety issues involved andbe able to provide recommendations for safer use. We need to emphasize that it is best for children and young teens not to be on ATVs. However, if parents choose to let them ride ATVs, children should be on an appropriate sized vehicle, be supervised at all times, never allow passengers, wear helmets and other safety gear, and never drive on public roads.”

http://news.consumerreports.org/baby/2011/11/increasing-number-of-young-people-injured-on-atvs.html?EXTKEY=NS0N01111 

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