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Translation
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The Danger
of ATV's: A Warning to All Parents
by
Mark A. Brandenburg, MD
An all-terrain
vehicle (ATV) is a three- or four-wheeled motorized vehicle predominantly
used in off-road conditions. These vehicles can weigh up to
600 pounds and reach speeds of up to 60 mph. They are designed
for single riders only, although there is usually room on the large
seats for multiple passengers. The tall wheels and general
design of ATV's are responsible for a high center of gravity that
predisposes them to flip and rollover during use.
First introduced
in 1971, ATV's quickly gained in popularity with nearly 4 million
currently in use. These off-road recreational vehicles have
become the cause of a great number of serious injuries to children.
Soon after their introduction to the market, the Consumer Product
Safety Commission (CPSC) became involved and in 1988 helped ban
the extraordinarily dangerous three-wheeled ATV's. Also, the
CPSC entered into a 10-year binding consent decree with manufacturers
that brought about warning labels, restrictions of the sales of
adult-sized ATV's for use by children less than 16, industry voluntary
standards for safer vehicles and implementation of a nationwide
training program. Research has shown that the binding consent
decree that has since expired, did not significantly impact the
injury rate to children riding ATV's.
Each year in the United States, approximately 70,000 emergency room
visits and 275 deaths result from ATV accidents. Approximately
20,000 children are injured and 100 killed annually while riding
ATV's. Children account for 35 percent of all ATV-related
deaths.
Among medical experts around the nation there is no debate about
the dangers that ATV's pose to children. Numerous papers have been
published in which physicians have recommended that politicians
enact strict laws regulating the use of ATV's by children.
It is clear that ATV's require a high degree of coordination and
strength and mature judgment for safe operation. Children
less than 16 usually lack these skills. Unfortunately, state legislatures
have failed to enact proper legislation that would help diminish
the number of injuries and deaths to children resulting from ATV
accidents. Utah for example allows children 8 years and older to
operate ATV's on public land without restriction. Arkansas
allows children under the age of 12 to operate ATV's with adult
supervision, while children older than 12 can operate ATV's on their
own. The American Association of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends
that an ATV only be operated by those who are 16 years and older.
My personal experience as an emergency physician in the Trauma Emergency
Center at St. Francis Hospital (Tulsa, OK) confirms what I am reading
in the medical literature. During the warmer months of the
year, we are routinely treating children for serious injuries sustained
while riding ATV's. Many of the injuries to children involve
brain and spinal cord damage.
My recommendations
to parents regarding ATV's are as follows:
1.
Regardless of age, never allow children to ride an ATV. The
activity is just too dangerous.
2. If an adult operates an ATV, be sure he or
she always wears an appropriate helmet.
3. Make sure that any adult who operates an ATV
first attend a safety class.
4. Insist that any adult operating an ATV always
follow the manufacturer's riding instructions.
Sincerely,
Mark
A. Brandenburg, MD
Author of CHILD SAFE: A Practical Guide for Preventing Childhood
Injuries
Go to http://www.BabyandChildSafety.com for information about this
wonderful parenting book. CHILD SAFE is also a terrific gift
for grandparents, nannies, baby sitters and all other child care
providers.
Emergency Physician at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Board Certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine
Fellow of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine (AAEM)
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