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National Issues
No more kids on ATV's?
No doubt, most of you are aware that there is a lot of chatter going on related to kids on ATV's. If you are not aware of this and you have children who operate ATV's.you need to be.
A great deal of attention has been brought to the fact that a lot of children are getting hurt on ATV's. So much attention, that the Consumer Product Safety Commission has again been tasked with attempting to determine if ATV's are dangerous and should be outlawed for use by people under age 16.
Several years ago, the Commission was charged with the same task and the outcome was the elimination of three-wheeler's, the implementation of age to engine size recommendations and training classes. While we did not loose four-wheelers, headway was made in that one vehicle was lost.
What business is it of anyone's if I decide to let my child ride a quad anyway? These people are just trying to get us kicked off of the land we all pay taxes for. Environmentalist's.at it again. Yea, that's just what we need.more government!
These are all statements we have either used or heard someone use and either agreed with or did not dispute.
Why are these groups trying to ban quads for use by kids? Who are they? Where are they getting their information?
These are all very good questions. Let's take a look first at who they are:
Review their websites, check them out, come to your own conclusions about their motives. Do the research, do not just assume or take someone else's "word for it"
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Why are they trying to get quads banned for use by kids?
Their website will give you some idea, however, it is our belief that their motive truly is the protection of children from adults who make poor decisions. Let's face it, no ATV has the ability to hurt anyone. When was the last time you were chassed down by a runaway ATV with a hatred for mankind? The fact is, someone has to get on the vehicle, start it, engage the transmission, push the gas, etc., etc., etc,. The vehicle can not do anything of its own free will.
When a parent, guardian, friend, associate or whomever, allows a person to operate their ATV, they are responsible. If a youth is allowed to operate a vehicle without a helmet, it is the adults' responsibility. If a youth is allowed to operate without proper training, it is the adults' responsibility. If a youth is allowed to operate without supervision, it is the adult who is responsible. We, the adults carry the burden of looking after our children. Granted, some folks truly do not understand the dangers involved in operating an ATV, however, it is still their responsibility. No different then rollerblades, bicycles & skateboards.
Public awareness is our first and greatest challenge relative to this topic. No reasonable, responsible adult would hand a loaded gun to a child and tell them to go off in the woods to play with it. Why not? Because we know that this is a formula for injuries and deaths.
When we place our children on an ATV and send them off, this is what we are doing. We are providing the ammunition to have our sport taken away from us. The consumer groups looking to protect children do not make up data, we give it to them through our poor judgment and decision making. We are responsible.
If the consumer groups are successful in convincing the Consumer Product Safety Commission to ban the use of quads by kids, will this stop it from happening? No it won't. The only people that will be effected by this are the responsible users. They will loose their privileges and those who made poor decisions in the first place, will most likely continue to make ineffective decisions. What then, get rid of the quads all together?
While we do not agree with these consumer groups on banning the use of quads by kids, we do agree that measures need to be put in place to encourage people to make better decisions. MATVA believes that the people who are making the poor decisions need to be held accountable. Think of it this way, if you knew that you could be prosecuted and potentially spend time in jail with a hefty fine, would you still simply say, "Nothing's going to happen, let them have some fun".
Or, would you decide that it might be a good idea to properly outfit the child, get them, as well as yourself, trained and provide your youth with supervision?
We want you to be able to enjoy this sport with your children. Make good decisions, protect your sport and most importantly, protect your children.
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