What do I need to know about recreational vehicles?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued policy statements on children using snowmobiles, personal watercraft (“jet skis”), and all-terain vehicles (ATVs). While these vehicles can be fun to use, they do require skill and judgment to operate safely. The AAP recommends that no children under age 16 drive these vehicles. Other considerations for different types of vehicles are:

• Snowmobiles:
  • A disproportionate number of snowmobile accidents happen to kids, especially boys.
  • Common causes of death and emergency room visits are: head injury, drowning, fractured legs, frostbite, hypothermia, and hearing loss.
  • When snowmobiling, wear protective clothing—helmet, goggles and boots.
  • Snowmobilers should travel in groups of two or more, and stick to designated trails.
  • Do not operate a snowmobile if you have been drinking alcohol.
  • Be familiar with this chart of windchill factor and frostbite times from the National Weather Service.
  • This snowmobiles and youth safety packet has great resources for parents, educators, and other child advocates.
  • Snowmobiling in Michigan, from the state of Michigan, includes information on safety courses.
• Jet Skis (personal watercraft or PWCs):
  • Jet skis/PWCs steer and operate differently than most vehicles. They do not steer if you are slowing down. You cannot avoid an obstacle by cutting the throttle—you need to maintain your speed and steer away from it.
  • Most injuries result from running into docks, other watercraft, or tree stumps.
  • Most injuries occur to riders with little experience operating a jet ski.
  • Jet skis/PWCs are much more likely to cause injury or death than boats.
  • All riders should wear US Coast Guard approved life jackets.
  • All riders should have attended a safe boater course that includes instruction on using jet skis.
  • Do not use a jet ski/PWC if you have been drinking alcohol.
  • Be familiar with boating basics and laws. In Michigan, be familiar with the Michigan boating handbook, especially the section on personal watercraft.
• All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs):
  • Consider this: Is your child ready to ride?
  • ATVs/ORVs include 2-, 3-, and 4-wheeled vehicles.
  • Take a training course before riding ATVs.
  • Wear protective clothing and equipment—including helmet, pants, boots, and gloves.
  • Only ride in daylight.
  • Do not carry passengers.
  • Do not ride on paved roads.
  • Do not operate an ATV if you have been drinking alcohol.
  • This ATV safety packet has lots of great resources for parents and educators, and other child advocates.
  • Read the report: ATV Safety Crisis: America’s Children at Risk
  • Michigan has age restrictions for ORV operation.
  • Find out how your child can attend ORV safety classes in Michigan.
  • Be familiar with Michigan’s ORV laws.
    

Where can I find more information on recreational safety?

• YourChild: Sports Safety
• YourChild: Winter Sports Safety
• YourChild: Sledding Safety
• YourChild: Playground and Outdoor Play Safety
• YourChild: Hunting and Shooting Sports Safety
• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) policy statements on
  • Snowmobiling Hazards,
  • Personal Watercraft Use by Children and Adolescents, and
  • All-Terrain Vehicle Injury Prevention: Two-, Three-, and Four-Wheeled Unlicensed Motor Vehicles.
    

Compiled by Kyla Boyse, R.N. Reviewed by faculty and staff at the University of Michigan

Updated November 2006

U-M Health System Related Sites:
U-M Pediatrics

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The information and links we provide are reviewed by University of Michigan developmental and behavioral pediatricians and child psychologists who are experts in child behavioral health. In choosing the links we provide, we use strict criteria to ensure that the information is accurate, and the source is reputable. As much as possible, we focus on information that is based on research. In areas where there is inadequate research, we include information compatible with prevailing expert opinion.

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