Tragic Child Death "Preventable"

The tragic death of a four year old girl in an incident involving an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) in Taranaki this week illustrates the need to ensure children are kept off ATVs, says Safekids New Zealand Director Ann Weaver.

She said her service recommends children under 16 years not be allowed to ride or drive ATVs.

"In one year alone 12 children died in incidents involving ATVs in this country - most of them the riders of the vehicles. ATVs are large pieces of machinery and are not meant to be used for recreation."

"While we have every sympathy for the family involved, we do believe this tragic incident, and many others involving ATVs and children, could have been prevented by simply keeping children off the machines. "

She said overseas research had recommended only those 16 years or over should ride the vehicles, and this was often endorsed by ATV manufacturers and distributors.

"People need to take these machines and the damage they can do seriously," she said.

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