12 year-old’s death prompts stricter ATV rules

It’s been more than three years since 12 year-old Kirkland Gower was killed after his full sized all terrain vehicle rolled on top of him on a farm near Peace River. His death has prompted a fatality inquiry report, which includes several recommendations such as putting age and size restrictions on ATV riders, banning passengers on vehicles unless the machine is built for it, and better training and education programs.

Frank Izsak, who has been teaching ATV rider safety classes for the past nine years, believes the recommendations are long overdue – especially given the fact that there have been 113 ATV-related deaths between 2002 and 2009.

"So tragic, you hear it way too often," said Izsak. "Pretty much everything could have been stopped and rectified if someone had the proper training and followed the rules."

But ATV retailers say all manufacturers already have age and size restrictions posted on their vehicles, and that it should be the parents’ responsibility to make sure those restrictions are followed.

"What the parents do after that you don’t know. A parent could take an 800cc quad and let their children drive it," said Wayde Cooper, of Coopers Recreational Power Sports.

While ATV enthusiasts don’t believe banning children from riding ATV’s is the answer, they insist proper training and safety gear are crucial to preventing future tragedies.

The inquiry into 12 year-old Gower’s death reveals that he was not wearing a helmet when he rolled his ATV. His injuries were so severe, though, that it likely wouldn’t have made a difference.

As it stands now, Alberta does not have a mandatory helmet law.

With files from Linda Nguyen