New State Rule For Underage ATV Drivers

New all-terrain vehicle rules that took effect with the new year require that all children under the age of 16 must be supervised by an adult while driving ATVs on public land.

The new state rules for 2009 say the adult also has to complete a state-approved safety-training class, along with the young riders.

New guidelines to ensure the ATV is a proper fit for the young rider are part of the rules.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management says it is getting ready to enforce the new laws on its land with patrols in ATV areas by federal agents and sheriff's deputies.

ATV accidents jumped sharply at the beginning of the decade, with more than one in five injuries involving children younger than 15.