Another A-hole Heard From

[jeepinjp]

ATV is too dangerous for child to operate
Tuesday, October 23, 2007


Our family has a weekend home in a rural setting. Our 14-year-old son would like us to get him an ATV. I've been telling him that ATVs are too dangerous. Can you please help set him straight?

There are certain activities that are responsible for a significant number of injuries, especially in children. Four things that come to mind are Heelys, trampolines, skateboards and -- the No. 1 on my list of things not to get -- an all terrain vehicle.

Heelys are sneakers with a hidden wheel in the back. The wheel allows children to "roll around." Falling seems to be a common problem. A substantial number of wrist and elbow fractures in children are related to Heelys. Head injuries are also possible.

One of the problems with Heelys is that children often don't wear the recommended safety gear. Even the manufacturer recommends wearing a helmet, wrist guards, knee pads and elbow pads.

Next up are trampolines. Trampolines may be fun, but when not used properly, have a high risk for injury. In 2004, the Consumer Product Safety Commission found that more than 89,000 people were sent to emergency rooms with trampoline-related injuries. These injuries range from cuts and bruises to serious fractures and head injuries.

A few comments about backyard trampolines: they should never be used without a parent supervising, there should never be more than one person on the trampoline at a time and, before purchasing a trampoline, consider other safer forms of exercise and activity for your children.

Finally, we come to ATVs. These vehicles are fun, but also are deadly. Too often, children sustain very serious injuries related to riding on an ATV. Often, there is a shattered bone or a severe head injury, or possible loss of an arm or leg.

Parents need to understand the hazards of these vehicles. ATVs are particularly dangerous for children under the age of 16. This age group accounted for more than 40 percent of total ATV related injuries and deaths in 2000. Children who are not licensed to drive a car should not operate off-road vehicles.

If after understanding all the health risks of ATVs, you are going to get one, here are some safety tips:

1.If you don't have a driver's license, do not operate an ATV.

2.All ATV drivers should undergo a hands-on training course.

3.ATVs should only be used by one person at a time, no riders.

4.When operating an ATV, always wear a helmet, eye protection and protective reflective clothing. Helmets should be of the type designed for motorcycles.

5. Seat belts, roll bars and speed governors (devices that limit maximum speed) should be installed on all ATVs.

Hope this helps convince you and your son that ATVs are absolutely not worth the risk.




Write to Dr. Dennis Cardone at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Department of Family Medicine, 1 Robert Wood Johnson Place, New Brunswick, N.J. 08903. Or e-mail him at askthedoc@umdnj.edu.

Star Ledger

[speedyquad]

i mighta had to email him

[jeepinjp]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (speedyquad @ Oct 25 2007, 04:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

i mighta had to email him[/b]

Thats good I`m sure u gave him a piece of ur mind without being over the top...

[speedyquad]

here is a cut and paste of it...


I read your comments on atv's being too dangerous for children to operate.
My question to you now is, are the atv's at fault or is it poor parenting?
I grew up riding atv's. My parents made me follow the strict guidelines you stated(except for 5. Seat belts, roll bars and speed governors (devices that limit maximum speed) should be installed on all ATVs.) I am still alive
after 23 years of riding atv's, including the "uber-dangerous" three wheeled machines.

Atv riding can be a great family sport and can be as safe as any other sport if precautions are taken. For you to speak so negatively of them, without first hand experience of owning and/or operating an atv is very biased.

By placing the blame on the atv, and not the irresponsible parents, you are
perpetuating the attitude that is slowly tearing this country apart. Too
many people place blame and responsibility on someone or something else
instead of on themselves, where it rightfully belongs. You are not only
detrimental to the atv community, but to society as a whole. But then
again, this isn't your fault, you were trained to think that way.

[cheeseburger]

This is what I emailed to the address in the article.........



Regarding your article in the Star Ledger on an atv for your son.

I personally own an atv, my 11 year old daughter rides an age appropriate atv (per the ATV Safety Institute of America) and my 8 year old son rides a Yamaha pw 80 dirt bike. I absolutely agree with you that atvs are dangerous. They become extremely dangerous when put into the hands of untrained, inexperienced riders of any age. Training, equipment, and parenting are essential when allowing kids to do any activity (ie..skateboarding, bike riding) and can be a matter of life or death when atving. Too many times, parents just buy the machines and hand over the keys assuming their kids will figure it out. I thank you for your decision not to purchase an atv for your son as it would disturb you to the point of not being able to watch him ride it. That is called parenting. However, I do not agree that it is fair to assume that the rest of us are not parenting by allowing our kids to ride safely. A lot of parents invest in all of the required safety gear and training. Atving can be an enjoyable and fun family activity.

thank you,

Keith M

[TIMe2Ride]

Very well said gents! Let's hope it doesn't fall on deaf ears...

[jeepinjp]

Good letters,I also wrote a similar note... hopefully more will write from jersey, since we desperately need some legal riding areas...