ATV Age Law in Utah
A serious debate on the legal driving age of operators of ATV's is undergoing scrutiny in Utah lately.
House Bill 237 would change the minimum age for riding all-terrain vehicles on public property. It's certainly a subject that needs to be addressed.
As the law stands now, kids as young as 8 can operate ATVs in Utah, and they're paying the price with their bones, their flesh and their lives.
Should the decision to let minor's operate vehicles lie within government or with the parents? Any all terrain vehicle can be dangerous and not every child is capable of operating, but who is responsible? I was riding my Honda Fourtrax at the ripe old age of 6, unharmed and better off. If nothing else I was taught responsibility, something I still recognize today.
November 2nd, 2007 at 11:17 am
Wow 8 years old is the youngest you can ride. That’s ridiculously old. My daughter is 3 and she can drive for miles in my private neighborhood without any problem. This summer she rode 3-4 days a week. I’ve turned the governor almost all the way down so she doesn’t get out of control. I ride in front and act as a blocker if another car or ATV comes down the road and I’ve taught her to stop and move to the side. It’s each parent’s responsibility to control their children, not the governments.
November 2nd, 2007 at 11:41 am
Michale, I could not agree with you more. People govern from the heart sometimes more than their heads.
I’m glad to hear your daughter has so much fun riding around with you and those will be memories she will remember her whole life.
January 12th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
The Gov. needs to stay out of this. It is the parents responsibility to make sure their kids can ride safe… My kid has been riding since 5 and love ATVs.
February 4th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
I personally think the government ought to stay out of the way of ATV riders – so long as the ATV riders stay off of public lands.
If you want to have 3 year olds riding around on private property – that is your concern. This law regards the age at which young men and women can operate ATVs on public lands.
Also, I appreciate that you always accompany your 3 year old. I would be glad to see adult accompaniment as a requirement for anyone under 16 on public lands. That type of requirement would preclude the need for a strict age requirement.
I can just imagine what the highways in Salt Lake City would look like if we let 5 year olds drive on them.
August 20th, 2008 at 10:34 am
This is really a sticky issue to discuss. On one hand there is some precedent based on safety concerning children riding ATV’s. On the other hand, isn’t it the prerogative of the parents to determine if their child can ride or not?
October 18th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
i dont think its a sticky situation you should teach your kids how to ride safe and make them do it or not let them ride, we dont need a law about everything in this world
October 21st, 2008 at 6:26 am
I’m with you Steadmans, the government should stay as far away from raising our children as possible. It’s obvious they are already making an abomination of our public education system.