Young drivers learn to put safety first when operating tractors, ATVs on the farm
GRAND ISLAND, Neb — The west may have been won on horseback, now many farm chores are done on four wheels as kids too young to cruise main street operate dangerous equipment.
Under federal law, kids under 16 can't drive tractors except on their parents' farm unless they go through training like this.
“I call it a career building experience,” said Aaron Yoder of the Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
If you thought your driving test was tough, try weaving through cones on a tractor you've never touched while pulling a wagon.
Many farms and ranches lack help so parents call on kids to pitch in. And often that starts not on a tractor, but something smaller like an ATV.
“Drive around check pivots, check cows, tasks around the yard, the farm,” said Wyatt Abrahamson of Axtell.
ATVs have replaced horseback in many cases, but UNMC said kids account for 60% of accidents on these adult-sized machines.
Yoder said, “We emphasize using the right size, using protective equipment. Often they don't have smaller ones, work sites or ag operations, wear helmets, going slow, it's not a race, should be different than recreational uses of ATVs.”
While this course is to certify kids to drive tractors, engineering and health experts stress everything from personal protective gear using chemicals to the hazards handling grain. One common thread is slowing down to assess risks.
“There's a lot of pressure to rush and hurry things but take a few seconds to think about hazards,” Yoder said.
On the first full week of summer vacation ,some kids are back in class.
“To have them show up and their parents care enough to get them here” impresses Yoder. It shows they’re putting safety first which is a requirement for some families.
“Grandma said that's the only way I can work on the ranch,” said Warren Myers of Axtell.
A group of 50 taking part not only starting their summer right but experts hope setting the tone for a lifetime.
“They want to work in ag so we want to see that, but we want them to be safe out there,” Yoder said.
Experts at UNMC say most injuries on tractors and ATVs involved inexperienced drivers. Whether it's a seat belt or helmet, they encourage kids to use that and they've got more classes planned if you missed this one.
May 23 – Lincoln County Extension Office, 348 West State Farm Rd., North Platte
May 31 – Raising Nebraska, 501 East Fonner Park Rd., Grand Island
June 1 – Legacy of the Plains Museum, 2930 Old Oregon Trail, Gering
June 2 – AKRS Equipment, 49110 US Hwy 20 in O’Neill
June 5 – Gordon Fairgrounds, 613 E. 3rd Street in Gordon
June 6 - Adams County Extension, 2975 South Baltimore Ave., Hastings
June 7 - Cuming County Fairgrounds, W. Washington St., West Point
June 8 – Cass County Fairgrounds, 8400 144th St, Weeping Water