FATAL ATV ACCIDENTS POINT TO NEED FOR CAUTION

Memorial Day weekend accidents proved fatal to 12 persons in Missouri, including three who were killed in separate accidents involving all-terrain vehicles.

A 23-year-old man was killed when his ATV collided with a pickup truck in Sullivan County. A 14-year-old girl who was a passenger on an ATV died after the vehicle went off a road and hit a tree in Jefferson County. And a 36-year-old man was killed when the ATV he was driving on a McDonald County road struck a large dog.

The three deaths are among far too many involving ATVs, and they reinforce the dangers they pose for both youngsters and adult users. ATVs can be a lot of fun, but operating them demands extra precautions, adherence to all traffic regulations and the wearing of protective gear such as a helmet.