WATCH: In the last 6-weeks three kids have been killed in ATC crashes, but even though health officials say kids should not be using these vehicles, there are no legal restrictions in place, but that could change. Heather Yourex reports.
CALGARY – Alberta parents are sharing their own experiences with kids using ATVs after Global reported three children died in ATV crashes between May 1 and June 21, and the province’s transportation minister is calling for a review into ATV safety. Though the Canadian Pediatric Society advises against children under 16 using them, Alberta’s legislation ranked “poor” in a 2012 status report.
“Our boys have been riding ATVs, sand machines and motorcycles for years,” wrote Christina Boerstra on Global’s Facebook page. “They always wear the proper gear… helmet, chest protector, long sleeve shirts, gloves, riding pants, riding boots, all the gear…Also, our boys took classes on those machines before starting out. Another investment worth the time and money.”
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Another Facebook commenter, who says she works at an ATV store, said “as sad as it sounds for the parents, someone has to be accountable.”
“We go through age restrictions for certain sized machines, we go through helmet safety etc. … 98 per cent of those parents say, ‘Oh he or she has grown up on quads, they can handle it,” wrote Nicole Petrie MacLeod.
“I’m 39 years old and can be crushed by an ATV—Imagine a child getting trapped under one that is way too big for them. All because their parents allow them to ride a machine that is way too big for them.”
A 2012 status report on child and youth health public policy suggests North American youth rarely follow best practices for ATV use. Less than 50 per cent and as few as 24 per cent of those surveyed wore helmets consistently; less than 25 per cent took safety training courses.
“The risk to a child or youth operating a youth model ATV is still almost twice as high as that of an adult on a larger machine,” said the Canadian Pediatric Society (CPS) report, and the society said nearly 40 per cent of ATV-related deaths are among youth under 19 in Canada.
READ MORE: Four children injured in Three Hills ATV crash
The 2012 status report ranked Alberta’s ATV legislation as “poor” and pointed to success stories in other provinces:
“One year after Nova Scotia restricted children under the age of 14 years from operating ATVs, there was a 50 per cent reduction in ATV-related injuries for that age group.”
Alberta’s Traffic Safety Act states it’s illegal for anyone under 14 to operate an off-highway vehicle on public land without adult supervision. Alberta Transportation Minister Brian Mason told Global News he’s planning a review into ATV safety for children, acknowledging Alberta’s laws are lagging behind other jurisdictions.
“I’m going to be asking my department to give me some …and then I hope to convene a meeting of various stakeholders in order to discuss those options,” said Mason.
“I think it’s important to note that Alberta is the only province that doesn’t require helmet use with ATVs, so that will be one of the things that we’ll be looking at.”
WATCH ABOVE: Alberta Transportation Minister Brian Mason commented on recent ATV deaths in the province, and how the government will respond.
Despite the low CPS ranking for Alberta, the Calgary ATV Riders Association says it has “very strict rules” for ATV riders under 18.
“The Calgary ATV Riders do allow young riders to ride with the club but we have rules that must be adhered to,” said president Christine Ross in an email to Global News.
Those rules include mandatory helmets, fitted Personal Protective Equipment, and supervision by an adult “within sight” of all “young riders.” The group also recommends a free youth training program.
“The club has young riders that ride with the club regularly and are very good riders,” she wrote. “This has become a passion for them and they love riding. To take this away from responsible young people would be disheartening. When taught properly from a young age we find these young riders are the most courteous and environmentally responsible than most.”
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With files from Heather Yourex
Editor’s note – This article has been corrected to say the Calgary ATV Riders group “recommends” all young riders take its youth training program; the program is not mandatory. After first writing that “the club also supports that all riders under the age of 18 must take a professional training course prior to riding any type of off-highway vehicle,” Ross clarified that the club recommended the course, but it’s not required.
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