U.S. study shows ATVs dangerous to children

William Atkins
Tuesday, 27 November 2007 20:36

Science - Health

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which the ScienceDaily article mentioned, injuries to children (under the age of 16 years) from using ATVs more than doubled from 1995 to 2005.

In 2005, 40,400 children were treated in hospital emergency rooms in the United States. However, 40,400 children represent only about one-third of all the ATV-related injuries treated in 2005. In all, over 120,000 children were treated at various medical facilities in that one year only.

Death to children caused by the use of ATVs, according to the CPSC, also nearly doubled between the years of 1995 and 2005. In 2005, 120 deaths of children were reported due to ATV incidents.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also mention that many of the less serious ATV accidents are not reported because the vehicles are not licensed, they are operated on private lands, and are ridden off of roads where local and state laws do not apply. [Author’s note: If many ATV accidents are not reported, as the AAP mentions, then 120,000 injuries to children in 2005 is only the tip of the iceberg!]

This article was based on the ScienceDaily article that was retrieved November 27, 2007, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071126112302.htm.