Text Message Led to Fatal ATV Crash That Killed Toddler

We'll just agree to disagree then because I'm not buying your logic. A crash to a teenager or a grown man is way different than a crash to a 2-year-old. And mistakes will happen because we're all human.

 

Man-0-MaN, Agent -----
I couldn't agree with you more on that thar.

What IS it with people these daze and their cell phones and texting, anyway?
GooD GrieF!

When I was a kid, we used smoke signals and then the
Pony Express for communication.

What the HaiL is SO important that we now think we should
be on call ALL the time?

B I N G O !!

Would you consider a horse a "death machine, too?
I've known 2-year olds who rode horses bareback, ----
And lived to tell about it.

Double B I N G O !!
Give Agent TWO fine CEE-Gars!

And THEY survived.

Thar ya go!

How about a realistic video game?
Or violent cartoons?
What does THAT teach 'em ----
except what ain't real?

ANYwhere a kid rides can be dangerous.
ESPECIALLY when those entrusted with their safety are distracted by cell phones.

How is a half-ton ATV any different than a farm wagon?

I think that would all depend on the 2-year old and the 2-year old's teacher.

How would strapping a child to an ATV be safer?

ANY vehicle CAN be dangerous.
Why not just go ALL the way --- to be safer ---
And outlaw ANY child from riding in, or on, ANY vehicle?

Exactly my point!
Why NOT?
Go ahead and let big gubmint raise our kids, you know,
just to be safe.

Me neither.
I'm just following a thought to a logical conclusion.

That's your opinion, and you're entitled to it.
I'm sure there are those who would be of the opinion that 16-years old would be the youngest they'd allow to ride a motorized vehicle.
And they might be correct --- for THEM.
But what's good for one, isn't necessarily good for ALL.

IMO, supposed ADULTS should know better than to be
distracted by a stupid machine we call a "cell phone".
And, IMO, THEY'RE too young to be a parent.

Stupidity killed that 2-year old.
Not the ATV, OR the cell phone.

 

I'm an avid motorcycle rider (and a competitor for many years), but I would have to say that I think two years old is likely too young ... although it would be dependant on how "robust" the toddler is. Even something as simple as losing your footing and falling over can prove to be fatal for that young of a child.

I had my children as passengers on a road bike as young as four. They were strapped to me so there was no way they could fall off. They also had proper fitting helmets, boots, jackets, pants and gloves. We didn't do any extended touring nor riding in traffic. They still vividly and fondly remember those times.

An ATV has a low skill level requirement in terms of general riding, i.e., no balance required, available in automatic, etc. Unfortunately that results in many people thinking they are "rider friendly". Nothing could be further from the truth.

I am sure the father will be forever regretting looking at that text message and pondering the outcome if he had only ignored it, or waited until he stopped the ATV. I can't imagine what could have been perceived as that important at that time.