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May. 12, 2025

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Youth UTV/ATV Safety Awareness - Nationwide

As many parents in rural America know, children and teens see all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility task vehicles (UTVs) as ways to get more work done and have a lot of fun on a farm or ranch. But without proper training and safe riding practices, these machines can pose risks to young operators. It’s something Charles Jennissen, MD, knows well.

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The pediatric emergency medicine physician with the University of Iowa Department of Emergency Medicine and the Stead Family Department of Pediatrics grew up on a Minnesota dairy farm. His personal experience is a big reason why he is a champion for UTV/ATV safety.

"I grew up on a dairy farm in central Minnesota. My first cousin and another neighbor child were on an ATV one day. Neither was wearing a helmet. They drove out of a farm driveway and onto a public road and were hit by a pickup," said Jennissen, who helped write recommendations on behalf of the American Academy of Pediatrics for safe ATV/UTV use for youth. "Both were killed on the scene. Their deaths are why I'm so interested in ATV/UTV safety."

The importance of ATV helmets for youth ATV riders

Riding off-highway vehicles (OHVs) like ATVs/UTVs is a major attraction for children and teens on farms and ranches. But the machines can be just as hazardous as they are tempting. Data from the Consumer Federation of America show there were 201 OHV fatalities in the U.S. in the first half of . One in four of these deaths were children under age 16. The victims were wearing helmets in only three of the 201 fatalities.

The hazards don’t end there. According to the Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, there are more than 11,000 non-fatal ATV/UTV-related injuries in children and teens every year. Of those injuries, 15% require a hospital stay. Concussions and head injuries both make up around one third of all ATV/UTV-related injuries in children and teens. To Jennissen, the numbers add up to a clear, simple message: Wear a helmet.

“More kids under age 16 die from ATV/UTV-related events than from bicycle crashes. This has been true since the early s,” said Jennissen, himself a UTV owner who is adamant about educating his own family on the dangers of the machine. “We talk a lot about helmets and safety with bicycles. But as health care providers and parents, we don't talk as much about ATVs/UTVs. That has to change.”

Youth ATV/UTV safety is multi-faceted

Jennissen said building a safety culture around ATVs/UTVs on farms and ranches starts by allowing your children to ride only ATVs that are age appropriate. Every manufacturer places a label on ATVs displaying the minimum age to ride and an adult should always supervise. To minimize injury risk, he also recommends young riders to:

Always wear a helmet. Helmets reduce ATV-related fatal head injuries by 40% and nonfatal brain injuries by 60% or more.1
Never allow passengers on ATVs. 25% of all pediatric ATV-related fatalities are passengers.1
Only ride at safe, appropriate speeds. Overturns and collisions with other vehicles or stationary objects are the most common fatality hazards. Riding at appropriate speeds reduces these risks.2
Keep ATVs/UTVs off public roadways. 67% of off-highway vehicle deaths occur on public roadways. ATV and UTV tires are not made for public roadway material, increasing the risk of accidents.3
Always wear your seat belt or safety harness on UTVs. One of the most common causes of off-highway vehicle injuries is ejection from the vehicle resulting in extremity and head injuries.1

“These things are just basic critical rules for riding ATVs/UTVs that are often not followed,” Jennissen said. “As a parent, when you make the decision to allow your child to ride an ATV or UTV, make sure you're following basic safety rules to help decrease their risk of injury or death.”

Become an UTV/ATV safety champion

UTV/ATV safety and educating everyone in rural America of the hazards of the machines are huge efforts for us at Nationwide. Talk to your local Nationwide Farm Certified agent to find out how you can advance that work as a champion for rider safety with your family or in your local community, and to make sure you understand the importance of farm ATV/UTV insurance.

ATVs and Youth: Matching Children and Vehicles

These vehicles go fast and can travel in forests and over fields. ATV use by youth is mainly for recreation but older youth use ATVs for chores such as pulling a cart to haul firewood, feeding calves or scraping snow. Riding ATVs can be fun, provide a means of physical fitness, give parents and youth an opportunity for quality family time, and provide a means of accomplishing work.

ATVs Can Be Dangerous

ATVs are also getting bigger and faster, ranging up to 700cc and greater in engine size, weighing 600 or more pounds, with speeds exceeding 70 miles per hour. Machines of this size and speed are not suitable for most youth. As a result, ATVs have proven hazardous to youth. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Annual Reports typically show that, approximately 25% of the estimated number of ATV-related injuries treated in emergency rooms involved children less than 16 years of age.

This article discusses selection and use of ATVs for youth, along with recommendations for adults to help youth have positive experiences with ATVs. Lifelong enjoyment and use of these popular recreational and work vehicles are possible through training in safe ATV operation.

Youth Readiness to Safely Operate an ATV

Before considering the purchase of an ATV for your child, consideration should be given to the child's physical and emotional development. Physical development includes size and strength as well as visual perception and coordination. Emotional development (mental maturity) includes focus, discipline, reasoning and decision-making ability. A parent often overestimates their own child's skills and abilities and may want a more objective evaluation of skills and abilities from another adult that is familiar with the child.

Physical Development

Have your child stand on the footrests of the ATV and grasp the handlebars. There should be at least 3 inches of clearance between the ATV seat and the youngster's seat of the pants. Have your child move the handlebars all the way to the right and to the left. Can they do this? Can your child operate the throttle and squeeze the brake lever with one hand as these controls are intended to be used? Can your child shift their weight from side to side and from front to back and maintain their balance? One good measure of readiness to successfully ride an ATV is the ability to ride a bicycle. Can your child easily control a bicycle?

Emotional Development

The child's emotional maturity can be viewed from a standpoint of discipline. Does your child have self-control as shown by conforming to expected rules of behavior and by awareness of the consequences of their actions? Riding an ATV safely demands following the rules of riding. Understanding that uncontrolled behavior can result in injury or death is a sign of emotional maturity. Parents should recognize that all children are different in maturity levels at a particular age. Just because a child is big for their age and can reach the controls of the ATV does not mean that they will use mature judgment in dealing with the many circumstances that may occur while riding the ATV.
The National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety's Agricultural Youth Work Guidelines (AYWG) guidelines for adults to determine the readiness of youth to operate an ATV. Visit the 'Operating an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV)' page. The ATV Institute also offers an ATV Readiness Checklist to help you determine if your youth is ready to operate an ATV.

Selecting an ATV for Youth

When selecting an ATV for your child, there are numerous factors and features to consider in addition to physical and emotional development. These include: type of ATV, power, speed, drive mechanism, adult supervisory controls, carrier racks, suspension systems, brake and foot controls, and heat and burn prevention.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of UTV Vehicles for kids. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

Three-wheeler vs. Four-wheeler

Purchase four-wheeled ATVs because they are more stable and less prone to side overturns. The overwhelming asset of the four-wheeler is its stability. The sale of new three-wheeled ATVs has been banned for many years, but many used three-wheelers are sold by after-market ATV dealers or owners. Don't purchase a used three-wheeler because they are not stable.

Power and Speed

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPS) has issued an ATV Safety Alert regarding engine size suggestions for young riders. The CPSC considers that an adult-size ATV has an engine of 90cc or greater and suggests youth be at least 16 years old to operate an adult-size ATV. ATV manufacturers offer guidelines on engine size for young rider's safe ATV use.

Age and size recommendation for ATV operation supported by manufacturers.

Drive Lines

ATVs with single speed, automatic transmissions are ideal for beginning riders. Power is easily controlled by the novice operator and an automatic clutch reduces changes of "popping-the-clutch," which can result in a rear overturn. The automatic transmission offers reasonable speed for the learner. More sophisticated transmissions and drivelines are available for the larger adult-sized machines.

Supervisory Controls

Controls that help adults supervise beginning ATV riders are available including throttle limiters, exhaust restrictors, and remote shut-off switches. Throttle limiters act as a governor to maintain slower speeds. Exhaust restrictors reduce the engine's power. Remote shut-off switches may be an engine stop leash or tether which the adult can pull to operate an engine shut-off switch. The remote can also be a more expensive electronic shut-off switch which can be activated from a greater distance from the rider.

Carrier Racks

Carrier racks should not be installed on youth-size ATVs because the weight of objects or materials carried on the rack can shift the ATVs center of gravity and reduce its stability. The material on the rack may also block the youth's vision.

Design Features for All ATVs

In addition to considering design features specific to young riders, there are design characteristics applicable to all ATVs that contribute to safer operation. These include:

Suspension Systems: ATV suspension systems vary with the machine. Less expensive models may use only balloon tires for suspension. These ATVs can bounce and pitch sideways at high speeds. Some models have suspension systems only on the front wheels while others have them on all four wheels. Some use only coil springs. Coil springs with shock absorbers provide the best traction, maximum control, and the smoothest ride.
Brakes and Foot Rests: The ATV may have rear brakes only or have both front and rear brakes with independent controls. Children must be trained to operate the brake system properly to reduce the hazard of lost control due to sharp braking. The rear fenders and foot peg or rest should be designed to make it difficult or impossible for the foot to slip off and be caught under the rear wheel.
Hot Engine Parts: The muffler, exhaust, and other hot engine components should be located, or guarded, to prevent burns. The design should also prevent the buildup of dry trash near hot exhaust parts to reduce the risk of fire.

Preparing To Operate the ATV

Safely operating an ATV includes proper dress, protective equipment and following established rules for ATV safety.

Dress Safely

Full face shield helmets offer the most protection. The helmet should fit snugly and securely. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z90.1 label indicates that the helmet has met national test standards. In a wooded area, eye protection showing the ANSI Z78.1 label is required if the helmet does not have a face shield. A Department of Transportation-approved rating and/or SNELL rating may also be found on the helmet. Some inexpensive helmets have no approval rating as they have not been tested by a standards testing organization. Over-the-ankle shoes with sturdy, non-slip heels and soles should be worn along with gloves and a long-sleeve shirt and pants.

Operate Safely

Operators of all ages should observe these ATV operation rules:

Use lights, reflectors and flags to increase the smaller ATV's visibility.
Don't show off, speed or try to perform stunts. Speed always increases risk of injury or death.
Never care passengers. ATVs have one seat for one operator.
Avoid public roads and paved surfaces. ATV tires are not designed for road travel. The aggressive tread can grab the road surface and increase the risk of loss of control and rollover.
Locate the safety decals on the ATV and follow the manufacturer's recommendation.

Legal Restrictions for Youth

At the present time there are only four legal regulations involving the operation of ATVs by youth under the age of 16. The Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, Chapter 77 states:

(Section .a) No person under the age of 16 shall drive an ATV across any highway unless he (or she) has a valid safety certificate and is under the supervision of a person 18 years of age or older.
(Section .b) No one under the age of 8 years may operate an ATV on any state-owned property.
(Section .b.1) A person 8 or 9 years of age shall only operate an ATV with an engine size of 70 cc or less.
(Section .c) No person from age 8 to their 16th birthday shall operate an ATV except on lands owned or leased by a parent or legal guardian, unless he or she is under the supervision of a certified ATV safety instructor or has completed a prescribed safety training course and received an ATV safety training certificate.

Some professional groups that advocate for youth safety feel that it is not acceptable for youth under 16 years of age to operate an ATV under any circumstances. The American Academy of Pediatrics and Safe Kids Worldwide organizations, both recommend that youth under the age of 16 should not operate an ATV of any size. The reasons given for this position include a youth's lack of judgment, maturity and physical development, the inherent risks associated with ATV operation, an increased number of injuries to youth operator in recent years, and a lack of safety devices to protect children against injuries common to ATV riding. Lay groups, such as "Concerned Families for ATV Safety", have recently formed to advocate for stricter regulations regarding youth and ATV operation. Whether or not the risk of injury to youth is sufficient to justify banning all ATV operation by youth under the age of 16 is an area that is generating considerable debate. Parents are encouraged to stay informed of the arguments for and against ATV operation by youth. Parents allowing their sons and daughters to operate ATVs should be aware of the risks, provide for proper instruction, and monitor the safe use of the ATV for both work and recreation.

ATV Training Programs for Youth

Young operators should learn to operate an ATV in an approved safety training program. Approved safety training programs are most commonly offered by the ATV Safety Institute and state agencies such as the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). For information on approved ATV safety training in Pennsylvania, visit the DCNR website or call the DCNR's Bureau of Forestry at 717-783-.

The PA DCNR has partnered with an organization to offer the 'Offroad-Ed Pennsylvania Course' for online ATV safety training and certification. This training program includes a fee for administration and testing and can result in an ATV Safety Certificate of Completion upon successful test results.

Check with your local ATV dealership for safety course opportunities. Adult supervision of beginning riders can increase the development of safe ATV riding habits.

Prepared by Dennis J. Murphy, Distinguished Professor and William C. Harshman, Senior Project Associate

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