Ark. Doctor: Children Shouldn’t Ride ATVs

December 5, 2007

  • December 5, 2007 at 8:38 am
    lastbat says:
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    I have to agree with everyone who says we take risks in everything we do. People die every day doing things that others live through without a scratch. It’s about education, it’s about training, and it’s about realizing that sometimes the risk of death is exactly why we do something. It sucks when tragedy strikes, but we can’t wrap ourselves in cotton and make the bad things go away.

  • December 5, 2007 at 1:05 am
    Saints Fan says:
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    A friend of my family last year had to walk miles to civilization while carrying his dead son due to an ATV accident. The son was a teenager and he lost control and the ATV landed on him, crushing his neck. In the south, these vehicles are like a rite of passage but I personally would rather walk while hunting than have an ATV. Too clumsy and too dangerous no matter who is riding them.

  • December 5, 2007 at 1:58 am
    Bill Reed says:
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    ATV’s are inherently dangerous under the best conditions. It shouldn’t take a doctor to tell people that kids shouldn’t drive or ride in them. That’s common sense that every parent should know. Unfortunately there’s no IQ test to become a parent.

  • December 5, 2007 at 2:49 am
    Joey says:
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    Swimming can be dangerous. Riding a bike can be dangerous. Playing sports can be dangerous. Doing anything irresponsibly can be dangerous! What a nation of wimps we have become!!!

  • December 5, 2007 at 2:53 am
    Henry says:
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    Agreed! I would tell Bill Reed and Saints Fan to go back to crotcheing, but those needles can be dangerous!

  • December 5, 2007 at 3:35 am
    Ted says:
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    Joey: your analogy is way off. Henry, you have nothing of substance to add. The point is an ATV is inherently unstable you don’t have to be negligent or irresponsible to injure or kill yourself with one. I hardly thing riding an ATV ranks up there with swimming and bike riding. Look at who rides them.

  • December 5, 2007 at 3:47 am
    Saints Fan says:
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    To Henry and Joey,

    As this was something that hit extremely close to home, you two would probably be too wussy to have to deal with the death of a friend’s son and then have to “celebrate” the birth of this friend’s new son six months later. My spouse and I are counseling him along with his pastor but every day is different. I agree with Ted, I have only received one ticket in my entire life and used to own an ATV. They’re cumbersome and yes you’ll lose your head racing with the boys and seeing who go the fastest. It’s not about being a wimp, it’s about keeping your loved ones out of harm’s way as much as possible. I wouldn’t wish my friend’s pain on my worst enemy. So go have fun with your comments. Idiots.

  • December 5, 2007 at 3:55 am
    Joey says:
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    Ted,
    Tell me. Who rides ATVs? What statement are you making? A little clarifcation is necessary.

    An “estimated 49 children under the age of 16 died from ATV-related injuries between 1982 and 2001”. So in 20 years, we average 2.5 deaths a year, and this is a major problem? More kids DROWN each year than die from ATV accidents, and I am willing to bet the same applies to bicycle accidents.

    Again, anything done irresponsibly can be dangerous.

    ATV’s are not inherently unstable. You ever see a kid learn to ride a bike? Talk about unstable! Ride both responsibly and neither are dangerous.

  • December 5, 2007 at 3:57 am
    Henry says:
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    People die riding snowmobiles. Should we ban them?

  • December 5, 2007 at 4:19 am
    Billy says:
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    I have friends whose two year old son drown in a pond. Another friend performed CPR, was able to resuscitate the boy who then survived in a coma for a month before finally succumbing to his injuries. Should we fill in all ponds and small bodies of water because they could be dangerous? That would be a knee jerk reaction to a tragic situation.

    There is risk in everything we do. The best we can do is act responsibly to minimize the risk.



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