Response from:

I find it puzzling that people are so quick to throw blame at the parents. If you saw a race car in someone driveway would you ask please don't let my child drive that car today, it is against the law and my child has no experience. The adults that owned this machine and allowed two 8 year boys on this ATV unsupervised should be held accountable. I support this bill and adults that allow children under age, unsupervised, on adult machines, should be held accountable. This a nation wide problem, and anyone that is trying to prevent other children from being seriously hurt or killed should be a praised, not torn apart. Just an opinion.

Response from: Matt

I see what you mean. I did not blame the parents. I blamed the owners of the ATV. As for your comment about the race car, that's a stretch. But if I drop my kid off where there's a pool, motorcycles, a trampoline, a dirt track (that indicates ATVs, motorcycles etc), a half-pipe, or any other number of things, you can bet I'd tell them not to let my kid do certain things! The problem is not that kids are riding, it's that they're riding without being taught and supervised.

Response from: ATV SAFETY ADVOCATE

In this country there are age limits on kids driving vehicles. Why should it be any different with ATVs? An ATV is classified as a VEHICLE (its not a TOY!)- just like a car or a truck. Some of these things weigh in excess of 500lbs and get up to highway speeds. Not all parents buy age appropriate ATVs for their kids. Economically it is not feasible for families to buy all different types of ATVs for the whole family. Usually they buy one adult sized ATV and everyone rides that.
The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the American Academy of Pediatrics have come out very strongly against ATVs for any kids under 16. They are on the front lines of the disastrous effects of an accident. No amount of training will help a kid when they get into a situation they can't handle. Thats why they call it an ACCIDENT, because you just don't see it coming. Over 40,000 kids are severely injured every year riding ATVs - and don't come back with the crap about pools, trampolines, etc...that only dilutes the issue and surely doesn't make ATVs any safer to ride.
We will work until we see a federal mandate in place to prohibit kids under 16 from riding ATVs.
The taxpayers end up footing the bill for accidents, not to mention the pain and suffering of the victim and their families.
Know what you call kids under 16 whose parents allow them to ride adult sized ATVs?
ORGAN DONORS or DISABLED.

Parents should have the right to decide what their kids do for recreation - but by the looks of the amount of accidents, proper parenting and supervision is severly lacking. The government needs to step in and start pressing charges on negligent parents...its about time!

Response from: Matt

See my reply here:

http://www.undermyhelmet.com/50226711/we_get_comments.php

Response from: hector

safety is very important to our kids specially when they are playing outdoor or even inside the house.