1000 SW Jackson
Suite 230
Topeka, KS 66612-1274
(785) 296-1223
(785) 296-8645 (FAX)

Coordinator:
Jan Stegelman

Executive Committee:
Randall Bolin
NHTSA Region VII

Dennis Cooley, MD
Medical Advisor
American Academy of
Pediatrics, Kansas
Chapter

John Drees
Douglas County
SAFE KIDS Coalition

Vanda Easley
State Farm Insurance
Companies

Jim Keating
Kansas State
Firefighters Association

Elena Nuss
Kansas State
Fire Marshal's Office

Cindy Samuelson
Kansas Hospital Association

USING ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES: A GROWING AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS TREND FOR CHILDREN

Kansas SAFE KIDS Coalition Issues Summer Warning

Over the past decade, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) have become popular for off- road recreation and racing. In the United States today, there are approximately 16 million ATV operators and almost eight million ATVs in use. Unfortunately, this growing popularity presents a number of dangers, especially to younger children. Between 1993 and 2001, ATV-related injuries to children under 16 increased by 94 percent, to 34,000 a year. In 2001, 87 percent of ATV-related injuries to children under 16 occurred while they were riding adult-sized ATVs, while an additional 97 percent of children injured were operating an ATV larger than the size recommended for their age.

ATV incidents often involve rollovers, falls from the vehicles and collisions with stationary objects or other vehicles. These incidents can result in serious injury, especially among younger, more inexperienced operators.

"Children do not have the proper cognitive abilities to make the split-second decisions associated with ATV use, especially when operating adult-sized ATVs," said Jan Stegelman, Coordinator of Kansas SAFE KIDS. "The sheer weight and size of these machines can crush a child if they tip over or accidentally take a corner too fast."

Adult- Versus Youth-Sized ATVs

for youth 12 to 16 years of age or children 6 to 12 years of age. Youth-sized ATVs have engine sizes between 51 and 90 cubic centimeters and can travel up to 20 miles per hour, while child-size ATVs have engine sizes less than 50 cubic centimeters and can travel up to 15 miles per hour.

State Regulations

While Kansas law makes it unlawful to ride or operate an ATV on any state highway or within city limits, Kansas has no minimum age for ATV operation.

The Kansas SAFE KIDS Coalition recommends that no child under 6 operate any ATV, no child under 16 operate an adult-sized ATV and any ATV operator between the ages of 6 and 16 follow the SAFE KIDS safety tips.

Safety Tips

• Never ride a three-wheeled ATV. Although banned in 1982 and no longer manufactured, many are still in use.
• Do not allow anyone under 16 to operate an adult-sized ATV. Adult ATVs are designed for operators over 16 years of age who are physically bigger, have well-developed cognitive abilities and have received proper training.
• Any operator under 16 should use an ATV made for his or her age group. Many manufacturers now make smaller ATVs to be used by children under 16.
• All operators should take a safety course in proper ATV handling and use . ATV courses teach potential operators how to shift their weight to handle riding on uneven surfaces and prepare them for situations they might encounter off-road.
• ATVs should only carry passengers if specifically designed to do so . Except for a few new models, ATVs are designed to carry only an operator. Passengers throw off the balance and movement of the vehicle, making it harder to control.
• An identification flag should be placed on every ATV. Red or orange in color and a minimum of six by 12 inches in size, the flag should be attached to the ATV so that it is at least eight feet above ground level. Flags alert other operators to the ATV's presence.
• Proper safety gear, including boots, helmet, gloves, goggles, pants, and a shirt, should be worn at all times . All equipment should be durable and fully protect the part of the body that it covers.
• ATVs should be used only at certified parks and on courses, and should never be used on paved roads, especially highways. ATVs have suspensions and tires designed for off-road use, and they often do not function well on highways. They are also much smaller than the average car, offering little protection to the operator in the event of a crash.
• Throttle limiters should be installed on all youth- and child-sized ATVs. A throttle limiter is a screw placed on the throttle that limits the top speed of the vehicle.

Kansas SAFE KIDS, Inc. is a nonprofit coalition of 67 statewide organizations and businesses dedicated to preventing unintentional injuries to Kansas children ages 0-14. Local coalitions and chapters are located in Allen, Anderson, Clay, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Ford, Franklin, Johnson, Marion, Montgomery, Nemaha, Osage, Pottawatomie, Republic, Rice, Saline, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, and Woodson Counties, as well as Chanute, Leavenworth, Manhattan, Norton, Pittsburg, and Wichita. For more information about water safety go to www.safekids.org .