The guidelines for ATV use are:
- Children under 12 should not use ATVs at all (some organizations even feel the age should be 14).
- Children between 12 and 16 should only use smaller ATVs with a 90cc motor, and should always drive under adult supervision.
As already discussed, safely operating an ATV requires skill, good judgement, attention, and physical strength. A child or young person is developing these qualities, but may not yet be consistent enough to drive an ATV without close supervision, or even to drive an ATV at all. Children mature physically and mentally at different rates – what’s suitable for one 13 year old may be far beyond the strength or ability of another.
Statistics of Use
A recent Manitoba study showed the high risks facing children who use ATVs. The survey was carried out with interviews and questionnaires at agricultural fairs and similar events. The Injuries Manitoba – Prevention of Adolescent and Childhood Trauma (IM PACT) study surveyed over 300 Grade 6 students in 1996-1997, and found:
- 42% of the children said they had ridden ATVs on public roads.
- 26% of the children who owned ATVs said their ATVs were three-wheeled models.
- More than 50% of the children said they were driving adult sized ATVs.
- Only 30% of the children said they always wear a helmet while riding.
We can assume that similar results would be found among children and young people in farm families in Ontario.
In a policy reaffirmed in January 2000, the Canadian Pediatric Society (the organization of doctors who treat children), recognized ATVs (two-, three-, and four-wheeled) as hazards to the health of Canadian children. Based on their experience treating children injured in ATV accidents, they called for:
- A ban on ATV use by children under 14 years, since the safe use of off-road vehicles requires skill, judgement, and experience.
- Compulsory licensing of all ATV operators.
- A ban on passengers on ATVs.
- Compulsory use of helmets during ATV use.
The North American Guidelines for Children’s Agricultural Tasks
The Canadian Coalition for Agricultural Safety and Rural Health has recommended that farm parents follow the North American Guidelines for Children’s Agricultural Tasks (NAGCAT) when giving farm chores to children and young people.
The NAGCAT guidelines on ATV safety for children ask the following questions:
1. Can the child reach and operate all controls while comfortably seated?
2. Is the child strong enough to operate the controls without straining?
3. Does the child have good peripheral vision? For example, while looking straight ahead, can the child see your finger entering his or her field of vision at shoulder level?
4. Can the child use hands and feet at the same time? For example, can the child run and dribble a basketball?
5. Can the child understand and repeat from memory a five-step process?
6. Can the child recognize a hazard and solve the problem without getting upset?
7. Can the child react quickly?
8. Does the child do things that seem dangerous for the thrill of it?
9. Is your child responsible? Do you trust your child to do what’s expected without anyone checking?
10. Does the child usually go with his or her “gut” feeling without thinking too much about what could happen next?
11. Has an adult demonstrated farmwork with an ATV on site?
12. Has the child shown that he or she can do the job safely four to five times under close supervision?
13. Can an adult supervise as recommended?
Your answer to each question should be a definite and confident “yes” (except for questions 8 and 10, which should be “no”). Even if your child is “old enough,” you may decide, based on these questions, that she or he is not yet ready to safely drive an ATV.
Adequate supervision of children and young people should follow these steps:
- Explain the task, and draw attention to each hazard and possible problem.
- Discuss solutions for each hazard and problem.
- Demonstrate the task while describing each step.
- Have the child or young person do the task four or five times under direct and continuous supervision.
- Have the child or young person do the task, but come back to observe or check every 15 to 30 minutes.
