Comments on: Kids' ATV Death Rate Up, Study Says

Recent 24 Percent Rise Renews Calls For Restrictions, Ban On Use By Anyone Under 16

[jfarmer1us]

Dear CBS:
First and foremost, I am sorry for the parents loss of their children on the ATV segment this morning, and my comments are not meant to be harsh or inconsiderate, but:
1-In several images I noticed CHILDREN riding ATV'S, that were clearly too powerful and large for the "child rider".
2-In several images I noticed that no protective gear was being worn.
3-In several images I noticed that the ATV's were clearly being ridden improperly(no feet on the foot posts, but laying or bracing back on the rack).
4-In several images I noticed kids riding "double".
In my manual, their are pages that plainly speak to these exact instances, telling one not to do them, and my ATV and manual are 21 years old.
5-I would be willing to bet money that no dealership has ever sold an ATV to a child between 5-15 years of age. If they did, I'd like to know A-How the child got to the dealership? B-How he earned the money to pay for it? C- And finally how he or she transported it home?
Do parents govern what TV their young children watch or what movies they may can rent?
Do parents allow young chidren to use drugs or alcohol?
This so called problem with ATV's is totally preventable, but it begins at home and should stay at home.
Don't ask the government to solve what your good common sense or lack thereof should know to do.
Are parents not responsible at all?

[vamptorn]

As with any outdoor recreation from boating, to skiing, wilderness hiking, swimming, etc. parental supervision is the key to having a safe enjoyable time. No matter what the activity is there is always the chance for injury even when following all the rules and being as safe as possible.

We are a family of five and we own four ATV's my three children range in age from 6 to 14 and each of them as well as my wife and I have attended certified ATV safety courses and ALWAYS wear our safety gear when riding. We ride as a family and none of our children ride unsupervised.

It just makes me sick to my stomach to witness the idiots who have no clue about safety and have no regard for the well being of themselves their children and others around them when we go riding in public areas. Each time we go there are small children on over-sized bikes, wearing shorts and tank tops, and no helmets while the "adults" sit around and drink.

These are the people that drive the statistics, those that have no idea of personal responsibility and ruin the day for the rest of us. You are the role model for your children, teach them responsibility and courtesy for others and the rest will follow.

There will be accidents no matter how safe you are in anything you do but if you go into any situation prepared and informed you reduce those chances down to a minimum.

[vamptorn]

As with any outdoor recreation from boating, to skiing, wilderness hiking, swimming, etc. parental supervision is the key to having a safe enjoyable time. No matter what the activity is there is always the chance for injury even when following all the rules and being as safe as possible.

We are a family of five and we own four ATV's my three children range in age from 6 to 14 and each of them as well as my wife and I have attended certified ATV safety courses and ALWAYS wear our safety gear when riding. We ride as a family and none of our children ride unsupervised.

It just makes me sick to my stomach to witness the idiots who have no clue about safety and have no regard for the well being of themselves their children and others around them when we go riding in public areas. Each time we go there are small children on over-sized bikes, wearing shorts and tank tops, and no helmets while the "adults" sit around and drink.

These are the people that drive the statistics, those that have no idea of personal responsibility and ruin the day for the rest of us. You are the role model for your children, teach them responsibility and courtesy for others and the rest will follow.

There will be accidents no matter how safe you are in anything you do but if you go into any situation prepared and informed you reduce those chances down to a minimum.

[drill4u]

Youth football is much more dangerous than an ATV.
Do we need legislation to impose culpability for the manufacutres of the pigskin? My heart aches for the parents who have lost their children, however I will do my own parenting.

[harleyrush]

Absolutely, it is the parent's responsibility! WendyK7 has hit the nail on the head. Unfortunately there are too many parents who aren't even aware that there is a nail! When you have children they are your responsibility. Period.

[minminmin-2009]

Agree with the other posters here. Why do people try to make OTHER people responsible for what happens to their own kids? Why would a dealer be held responsible for selling an adult-sized ATV to another adult, only to have a kid ride it and get hurt. Most adults don't know how to ride an ATV safely. I've known a few who've gotten pretty hurt; one broke his back. The adults need to attend the safety classes...either with their kids, or they need to pass it along...Most adults teach the kids: "here's the gas, here's the brakes, now go have fun."

[newsreader2]

Very sorry for loss, but everyone should know they are dangerous going in, kids get killed on them all the time.

[jlwesley]

Just like every other knee jerk group, they want to ban the vehicle instead of address the real problem. we keep raising generations of irresponsible, uncaring, unskilled, lazy,ignorant children, that go on to be adults to raise another generation like them.

When I was 8 I could drive a farm tractor, when I was 10 I could do just about any work on the farm with a tractor, unsupervised, but I had parents and grand parents that taught me to be responsible, I could also drive a truck and a team of horses.

Do not ban the vehicle, make the parents train and oversee the kid, not only is it good for the kid to learn a skill like that, it is good for the parents to become involved in the training and raising of their children.

[wendyk7]

I'm sorry for the loss of Ms. Keezer & Ms. Anderson's children. I can't imagine losing any of my children. Ms. Anderson stated towards the end of the interview that the ATV manufacturers have the responsibility of protecting and keeping our children safe. I totally disagree with her. It's MY responsibility - as a parent - to keep MY children safe - not any manufacturer, not any dealership - just me and my husband. I plan, someday, to purchase ATV(s) for my family. My common sense tells me to purchase the correct size for my kids and to supervise my kids when they ride them. Did you all catch that? MY COMMON SENSE - not the manufacturers common sense, not the dearlerships common sense, not anyone elses common sense. All mine. And as for letting my child drive my Corvette? Yes, I would let them. If I owned one and if we lived on a farm and the child could reach the pedals and see over the steering wheel at the same time. Oh yes, and if MY common sense told me it was a good idea.

[fuknrekd]

This article is a blatant LIE.

The reason for the increase is because of the increase in the number of ATVs being sold and used, which has gone up 2, 3 and 4 times as high in the last 5 years. Compare that with the increase in accidents and you'll find less accidents per riding hour.

ATV use has gone up by up to 600% and more in the last 3-4 years, and this article is trying to say that an increase in 50% in the last 5 years is equal to the accident rate going up.

It's not, it's going down.

I hate liars.