Children on Tractors

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29024, 13 October 1959, Page 16

Children on Tractors

It has been estimated that each year three New Zealand children are killed and 34

others injured in farm tractor accidents. The danger of allowing children to drive or ride on tractors is so obvious that adults should need no coercion to prevent the practice. Experience, however, shows that the Government’s decision to take legislative action is wise. In this matter the Dominion has lagged behind the United Kingdom, where legislation similar to that now before the New Zealand Parliament came into force last year. Twenty-two New Zealand children were killed by farm tractors from 1952 to 1958; 13 of these

children had been riding on the tractors immediately before the accidents. Eleven of the tractors were driven by adults and two by children. This year at least two children have been killed. Although he may drive a tractor with apparent safety on level fround, a child lacks the experience, knowledge, and strength to cope with an emergency. The new law will be hard to police, and reliance must still be placed on the good sense of farm workers. The proposed prohibition might be extended with advantage to children up to the age of 14; but in its present form it should help to keep from danger those least able to think for themselves.