New state regulations proposed for ATVs

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A proposal intended to reduce deaths and injuries to children and teenagers on all-terrain vehicles is being offered by state Senator Bernest Cain.<br/><br/>The bill called The Children's

Thursday, January 26th 2006, 2:25 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A proposal intended to reduce deaths and injuries to children and teenagers on all-terrain vehicles is being offered by state Senator Bernest Cain.

The bill called The Children's ATV Safety Act would prohibit children under age 12 from riding on ATVs and require anyone under 18 to wear a helmet when on an ATV.

The bill comes after a study last May by the Journal of the Oklahoma State Medical Association found 62 people were killed and nearly 400 suffered brain or spinal cord injuries in ATV accidents between 1992 and 2002. The study says nearly half of those injured were younger than 16 and one was 3-years-old.

The bill has the support of numerous health agencies and several law enforcement organizations.