Rates of injury for children riding all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) dropped in recent years, a new study finds. In all, 361,000 children under age 16 were treated in emergency rooms for these injuries between 2001 and 2010. The injury rate peaked in 2004, at 67 per 100,000 children. It dropped to 42 per 100,000 in 2010. But more than 27,500 children were still treated in that year. Boys were twice as likely to be hurt as girls. The authors said they didn't know why the injury rate went down. They said the recent recession could have depressed ATV sales. The authors said children should not ride adult-size ATVs. They also endorsed safety measures. They said people should wear helmets and avoid paved roads. They also should not carry passengers. The journal Pediatrics published the study July 1.
By Henry H. Bernstein, D.O.
Harvard Medical School
What Is the Doctor's Reaction?
Many parents dread the day their child first drives a car. They know getting behind the wheel is a big job. They are scared knowing their child could get into an accident and be seriously injured at any time.
Yet millions of parents across the country still let their children ride all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). They feel ATVs are safe for children because driving one does not require a license.
These parents could not be more wrong. An ATV is a powerful motorized vehicle. It can weigh up to 1,000 pounds. It can reach speeds of 60 miles per hour and higher. It should be driven on off-road, unpaved surfaces.
It is no surprise, then, that children under the age of 16 are most at risk for injury (and even death) from driving an ATV. Children do not have the physical strength, knowledge or judgment needed to safely drive one.
The journal Pediatrics has just published a study online about children and ATVs. The study looked at the details and trends of ATV-related injuries in children between 2001 and 2010. Information was collected from a national database of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
During this 10-year study period, there were more than 361,000 emergency room visits by children younger than 16 with injuries from riding ATVs. The most common injuries were:
- Broken bones (28%)
- Bruises or scrapes (27%)
- Cuts (15%)
- Strains or sprains (11%)
The body parts most commonly injured varied by age group. For children under 6, injuries to the face and mouth were most common. Children ages 6 through 15 most often had injuries to their arms, hands, legs or feet. These injuries were twice as common in boys as in girls for all age groups. Among children admitted to the hospital, the head was the most common body part injured.
Researchers also compared ER visits for ATV injuries to those for treatment of any type of injury. Children under the age of 16 were 7 times more likely to be admitted after an ATV accident than after other injuries. They also were twice as likely to be admitted after an ATV accident as after a car accident.
The researchers did find a bit of good news. The rate of ATV injuries was going down by the end of the 10-year study period. It dropped from a high of 67 injuries per 100,000 children in 2004 to 42 injuries per 100,000 children by 2010. Unfortunately, injuries were just as severe, on average, throughout the 10 years.
The reason for the lower rate of injuries is not understood. Maybe fewer children under 16 years were riding ATVs? Maybe fewer families bought ATVs during the depressed economy of the late 2000s? No matter why, there are still way too many kids getting hurt on ATVs.
What Changes Can I Make Now?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that NO child under the age of 16 ever ride an ATV. Although it may seem like fun for children, an ATV is not a toy. It can be very dangerous. Riding an ATV safely requires the same skill, judgment and experience that are needed to drive a car.
If your child is 16 or older, keep these safety measures in mind to lower the risk of injury from riding an ATV. Be sure that your teen:
- Completes a hands-on ATV safety course.
- Always wears a helmet, eye protection and other safety gear (such as boots and gloves) while riding.
- Never carries anyone else or rides as a passenger unless the ATV is designed for two people. (Passengers on two-person ATVs should be at least 13 years old.)
- Always rides the right sized ATV. (Adult-sized ATVs are too big for smaller teens.)
- Never rides on paved roads.
- Never rides at night.
- Never rides under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Many states already have ATV safety laws. These include requirements for age, helmet use and safety training. Find out about the laws in your state.
What Can I Expect Looking to the Future?
I hope that the number of injuries will continue to go down as the public becomes more aware of the dangers of ATVs. You can expect pediatricians to stress the value of ATV safety. Education about ATV safety is important. We will need research on which ATV safety courses help most to reduce accidents.
We must do a better job of protecting our children from ATV-related injuries each year. States should pass stricter laws about the use of ATVs. Researchers will continue to look for ways to make ATVs safer. Improved ATV designs also are needed to prevent injury.
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