Comments about ‘The risks of an ATV’

In the last ten years thousands of people have been electrocuted. Lets ban electricity! Lets allow the federal government to take every risk of living aways from us!

We're going to have to educate our children on proper ATV use in elementary schools and middle schools. Education is the only answer to crises like this.

granddaughter was put on an ATV by her paternal grandfather. She was wearing a helmet when the ATV flipped on her and the helmet came off. Bruised kidney, mild concussion, and an overnight at hospital and three weeks of limited activity later she is fine luckily. The grandfather was "upset" but will do it again because he doesn't see anything wrong--it was just an accident. The hospital reported it and CPS said it was "bad parenting" by ex-son-in-law. I think ATVs require more than simple education. How about a drivers license and an age restriction before driving one? After all, kids don't drive cars in elementary and middle school.

I have always felt ATVs were dangerous and to have such a close experience brings that danger closer to home. The ER staff were pretty vocal about ATV danger, too.

Great exercise! Quiet, peaceful interactions with nature! The smell of exhaust fumes! The possibility of broken limbs! What's not to like? Go ATVers Go!

The issue of parental responsibility needs to be separated from the main contention her, but it is increasingly irritating that "we" need government to step in and tell us how to live our lives. How convenient to let someone else take responsibility for our decisions. Only problem is, when we abdicate the responsibility for our actions, we also give up a piece of our personal freedom.
We choose to do dangerous things all the time. It's part of the right to persue happiness as we wish, but you can't choose to avoid the cinsequences. Accidents happen. It isn't always convenient, not is it always someone else's fault.I wish we'd give up the notion that someone else needs to legislate our lives.

Before the grammar police get me, sorry about the typos.

Where is the personal accountability?

A pencil can kill, so can a glass of water. Pillows, belts, bed-sheets - deadly.
Matches, gasoline, newpaper - weapons of arson.

What about food? People can choke to death!!

Come on, ATVs are only dangerous when someone chooses to NOT used common sense.

Annoying - yes. Dangerous - no.

It appears that most of these "accidents" occurred at a location that the ATV driver shouldn't have been. In most cases, if the ATV flips, maybe the terrain you're trying to climb isn't appropriate for the vehicle. If you're flying off a cliff on an ATV - do I even have to finish that sentence?

Can safety training be provided? Yes! Is safety training available? Yes! Do we need to legislate common sense? Is that even possible?

Personal responsibility is the answer. Some people are irresponsible or stupid, or just klutzes, so ATVs will never be 100% safe.

Please review the number of hikers who have dies or suffered serious injuries in the last year. How about a nanny-state solution for that. More education, padded suits, banning hikes on high terrain, etc?

Let's not even begin to look at the mayhem stemming from automobiles! (Despite lots of laws, driver ed in schools, learner permits, insurance, seat belt laws, etc.)

too many people are killed each year in cars. I say ban cars?

Many activities carry risks. Are we going to ban/restrict everything? Dangers exist throughout ones life. If an adult thinks riding a motorcycle or ATV without a helmet is a good idea, then they are accepting a risk. Stop trying to legislate adulthood. Not everybody is going to make it to 80 years of age.

I once worked for a company that sold this junk. When we sold a ATV we had someone who would need a trailer helmets and would return to pay hundreds in repair bills.

The buyer went in debt and had to work more hours so they could cover the payments, gas and repair costs so they could have something to get away from work on.

If ATV riders are opposed to basic safety measures to help prevent them from killing themselves and their kids, I'm surely not going to force them into anything.

I dont know about anyone else but half the rush comes from knowing I could be seconds away from death.

Part of the thrill of riding a motercycle, ATV, Hang-Gliding, parachuting, etc, comes from your body and mind knowing it's somewhat dangerous.

Think about it... it's not nearly as fun and exciting to stand on the ground with your arms out-stretched pretending you are flying, as actually leaving the ground in an ultralight craft or a hang-glider.

All of these activities are only as safe as you make them. Knowing your limits and the limits of your equipment is CRITICAL to enjoying them in safety.

Pushing either past their limits HUGELY increases the danger and the probablility of having the thing that scares you happend.

People should go back to horses and really enjoy nature and the outdoors with God's creatures.

Real outdoors | 4:09 p.m.

In the old days, people got hurt on horses. If more people started riding horses today... we would see more injuries on horses.

ATV's can be very dangerous. I rode on the back of a four wheeler with someone who was being careless and I broke my arm and now have a metal plate in my arm. I don't think we should ban them. I think people should make their own decision. However, I think there should be a mandatory training course on how to operate one safely and there should be an age limit where someone has to be old enough to ride one.

The writer's opening paragraph states that even when people are being careful, horrible things happen. Then proceeds to cite examples of accidents caused by carelessness. Not one example showed how being careful contributed to the incident. If you drive any vehicle off a steep dune someone will get hurt. If you ride double on a variety of machines up a steep angle, someone will get hurt. If you aren't paying attention, driving any vehicle off a 35 foot cliff will cause injury.
Any vehicle designed to propel the human body has an element of danger inherent with it. Choosing to single out ATVs reveals a bias toward and a lack of experience with these machines. An ATV can be ridden as safely as a car can be driven. ATVs do not cause accidents, people cause accidents.
I have a problem with legistating safety. However,I do find it inconsistent that the state is so strong on seat belt laws and so weak on helmet laws. I am glad the article was an editorial and not an article.

@real outdoors
I got bucked off a horse and hurt pretty badly when I was a kid, Ive never been bucked off my atv and I go on some pretty intense terrain.