

Safely operating an ATV requires the driver to make quick decisions, such as speeding up, slowing down, or shifting his or her weight in response to changes in the environment. ATVs can be too large for smaller kids to handle safely, even if it's legal for them to be riding them. The AAP does not recommend ATV use for children and teens 16 or younger. Other states allow kids as young as 10 to ride ATVs as long as they're supervised by an adult with a valid driver's license. Some states require ATV riders to be 16 years old and have a safety certificate. Instead, each state has its own guidelines and laws. There are no federal regulations or age limits when it comes to riding ATVs. Other common injuries include cuts, scrapes, broken collarbones, and broken arms and legs. This can cause serious injury or death, usually because of head injuries.

They have a high center of gravity and no roll bars, safety cages, or seatbelts, meaning they can tip easily, throw riders and passengers off, or even roll over on top of riders.

Weighing more than 600 pounds, ATVs have large, powerful engines that allow them to reach speeds of 65 mph or more. There are still some three-wheeler ATVs around, but manufacturers stopped making them in 1988 due to concerns about stability and safety. They usually have four large balloon-style tires, with a seat in the middle that a rider straddles while steering by the handlebars. What Are ATVs?ĪTVs are motorized vehicles that are meant to be used off-road or on dirt roads, not on paved roads or highways. While this helps to reduce the risk of injury or death, the only way to truly keep kids safe is to prevent them from riding ATVs.
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If you decide to let your child ride an ATV, make sure he or she follows safety precautions and understands how to safely operate the vehicle. As a result, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) discourages kids and teens ages 16 or younger from driving or riding on ATVs. Injuries from riding ATVs are common too and can mean an emergency-room visit. Rollovers and collisions happen often, and some of these are fatal. But with the thrills come major safety risks.ĪTVs can be unstable and hard to control, particularly at high speeds. In most states, it's legal for older kids and teens to ride them, even without a driver's license. All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are off-road vehicles often used for recreation.
