ATV Injuries Involving Children Drop

Rates of injury for children riding all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) dropped in recent years, a new study finds. In all, 361,000 children under age 16 were treated in emergency rooms for these injuries between 2001 and 2010. The injury rate peaked in 2004, at 67 per 100,000 children. It dropped to 42 per 100,000 in 2010. But more than 27,500 children were still treated in that year. Boys were twice as likely to be hurt as girls. The authors said they didn’t know why the injury rate went down. They said the recent recession could have depressed ATV sales. The authors said children should not ride adult-size ATVs. They also endorsed safety measures. They said people should wear helmets and avoid paved roads. They also should not carry passengers. The journal Pediatrics published the study July 1.