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shown on the larger three - wheel ATV and son on the smaller model riding over rough terrain , or small boy and adult are shown together by their four - wheel ATVS in a field surrounded by stumps and large broken branches .

Perhaps you saw a recent newspaper article describing the story of a 5 - year old

child with leukemia whose wish for a four - wheel ATV was granted by a national

organization . The child was photographed riding without a safety helmet . His

13 - year old brother already owned a three - wheel ATV , and the article stated " a four - wheeler would be safer for the baby of the family . " We suspect many parents perceive the three - and four - wheel ATVs with their wider wheel base as a great improvement in safety over the traditional two - wheel motorcycle or

motor bike .

Summary

The sudden appearance of ATV injuries seems to parallel the increased adver

tising these vehicles are receiving both locally and nationally . In our investigation of these accidents and CPSC data , we suggest several areas of

concern :

First , there is no legally established minimum age for ATV operators . In fact , a considerable amount of advertising seems targeted specifically towards children .

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Second , there are no limits on allowable speed .

It appears the various manu

facturers have not documented the top speeds of which these vehicles may be

capable .

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