June 8, 2005 - Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Little Rock
Hospital Sees Increase in Children’s ATV Accidents ( Air Date: 6/8/2005 ) More and more accidents are happening on and off Arkansas roads -- but not with cars -- they’re happening with kids on four-wheelers.
Arkansas Children’s Hospital says by looking at the number of injuries they’ve treated, it’s already shaping up to be a dangerous summer -- already admitting enough children to put them on track for a record year.
In May alone, the hospital admitted 14 children for ATV related accidents, the 2nd-highest month on record, and 40 kids for the year.
Compare that with the 29 children admitted by this time last year, and a total of 65 children for the year.
The hospital says peak times of year for these accidents are usually around July or August, and then again in October, once hunting season starts.
Because it’s so early in the year, the hospital is concerned they’ll have a lot more injuries like the ones they’re seeing now.
And out of 40 patients this year, only five of them were under 16 years old.
"And they can go very fast some of them, an excess of 50 to 60 miles an hour at full speed, so a young child who’s not physically big enough to even reach the floorboards, or safely maneuver the vehicle can be very unstable and a very immature driver of an atv," explained Dr. Mary Aitken, Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
Not only have ATV injuries increased here at the hospital, but nationwide ATV sales have increased steadily since 1991 and by 267% since 1994.
Of course, Children’s Hospital reminds parents that children under 16 should not be allowed to ride full-size ATV`S and when riding an age-appropriate vehicle, they should be wearing a helmet.
And unless it’s built for passengers, there should only be one person riding at a time
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Hope Mullins
Research Coordinator
Injury Free Coalition for Kids
800 Marshall St.
Little Rock, Ar 72210
501-364-4932
