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ATV related fatalities involved youngsters under 12 and 45 . 3 percent ( 73 children ) involved youngsters under 16 . Some of the youngsters that have died have been only 2 , 3 , 4 , or 5 years old . Why ? Well , we don ' t know for sure but while we are doing the necessary research and evaluation to find out , we can begin , now , working in partnership with parents , state and local officials , industry representatives and ATV operators themselves to reduce this terrible toll . Just as there may be more than one cause of the ATV problem , so too may there be a variety of solutions - - and a number of groups in a position to help

implement them .

There are a number of theories as to what is causing this rapid increase in ATV accidents . Part of the rise is attributable to the rapidly growing popularity of the vehicles ; sales have jumped from 136 , 000 units in 1980 to approximately 650 , 000 units last year and it is estimated that , by the end of 1985 , there will be 2 . 5 million ATVs in use . But popularity is not the whole story . There are other aspects worthy of consideration . Equipped with three soft , balloon like tires , many ATVs not only remind people of tricycles but they have a stable appearance that makes them seem appropriate for users of all ages and skill levels . However , ATVS possess unique performance and handling characteristics that come into play , for example , when they are maneuvered around turns or up and down hills . These charac teristics , coupled with the ability of the vehicle to travel over rough and varied terrain at speeds up to 50 miles per hour , can tax an

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