Governor Easley has signed a bill that would bar children younger than eight years old from driving all-terrain vehicles starting this December. Easley signed the bill yesterday. North Carolina had been one of a handful of states with virtually no operating restrictions for A-T-V's. Lawmakers were moved to change that as the number of child deaths in A-T-V accidents rose to eleven last year, up from only five in 1999. The new law will allow children aged eight to 15 to drive smaller, less powerful A-T-Vs. It also requires most A-T-V drivers to complete a safety course, and wear a helmet and eye protection. Violators could be fined up to 200-dollars.
