Injury Prevention & Safety
Children and youth under 16 do not have the strength, skill, or decision-making abilities to operate ATVs or snowmobiles safely.
Even “child-sized” and “youth-sized” ATVs are not safe. Because of this, Alberta Health Services takes the position that children younger than 16 years of age should not operate all-terrain vehicles.
Children under 16 years old have a higher risk for injury and death on ATVs. Even “child-sized” and “youth-sized” ATVs are not safe.
Research shows that even when driving child/youth sized ATVS – those with engines <= 90ccs – drivers under 16 years old are still 2 to 5 times more likely to be injured than adults drivers on any size of machine.
