Alberta Health Services urging youth under 16 not to drive ATVs

Alberta Health Services (AHS) is reminding the public that children under 16 should not be driving all terrain vehicles.

The AHS said that at least 38 children in the province have been injured on ATVs since May; 14 were hospitalized and two have died.

Between April 2013 and March 2014, more than 350 children under the age of 17 were seen at Emergency Departments throughout Alberta, for ATV-related injuries – and between 2002 and 2011, 23 children under the age of 16 died.

Officials are warning parents to keep kids under the age of 16 off of ATVs, even if they would be a passenger.

“The folks under 16 [years of age] lack the skill set, the strength to control and the judgment to control them safely,” Dr. Chris Sikora, with AHS said.

Officials said Albertans over 16-years-old should be trained by a recognized ATV instructor, before heading out, wear safety gear including a helmet, jacket, long pats, googles, boots and gloves, they should be fastened into the ATV while riding, and tell others where they’re going and when they expect to be back, and have a cell phone or radio and a first aid kit on hand.

Alberta is the only province without regulations about wearing a helmet while operating an ATV.

Agencies/Canadajournal