High ATV child-death rates in Kentucky: ATVs NOT kid-friendly

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – As the weather warms up, the Barren River District Health Department is driving home the important warning that ATVs are not for kids.

Spring is almost here, and the health department is pleading with parents to keep your children off of ATVs. 

The department says these vehicles are not suitable for kids and can cause serious harm. Don’t take any chances.

Many people believe that ATVs are just four-wheelers, but they can be any all-terrain recreational vehicle, including street-legal ones. 

Kids may not be able to reach the brake pedal, putting them in harm’s way. Impaired adults driving the vehicle have caused many head injuries resulting in death or near-death experiences. 

“The deaths are high,” said BRDHD Childcare Health Consultant Jeanna Phelps, “especially in the state of Kentucky. A lot of them are linked to speed… motorcycles, mopeds, and dirt bikes. We see these fatalities a lot in these, unfortunately.”

Even though they have turn signals and seat belts, BRDHD says children should only get on an ATV if they are 16 years old, supervised, and have received proper training. 

Parents are advised to invest in jackets, helmets, and proper eyewear to protect their children’s bodies.