As ridership has grown nationwide, hundreds of children have been killed riding all-terrain vehicles built for adults. The Star Tribune published a five-part series in November 2014 examining how the industry, government and families have failed to heed the warnings about risks that off-road vehicles pose to children.
Some ATV enthusiasts are gambling with their children's lives. Instead of buying off-road vehicles specifically designed for young riders, many parents are letting their children drive adult-sized ATVs that can exceed 60 miles per hour and are as difficult to control as a car.
For years, federal regulators, doctors and the all-terrain vehicle industry have agreed: Children should not ride ATVs designed for adults. But in most states, the practice is legal.
No surface is more dangerous for ATVs than pavement, many road safety authorities say. But across the country, more local and state governments are allowing all-terrain vehicles to be driven on paved roads.
The Star Tribune just completed a series about the missed warnings and risks of off-road vehicles that frequently injure or kill children. Read a chat conducted by the series reporter.