A law prohibits children under 16 from riding an ATV without parental supervision. Kids still ride and, in some cases die, on ATVs however.

After owning one for about a year, Michele and Shawn Merrill thought they knew a lot about four wheelers. Sadly, what they didn't know changed their lives. Their 13-year-old son, Matthew, died while riding an ATV near his home last July.

While home alone, Matthew found the key that his parents kept hidden.

"He wasn't supposed to be riding without us at home, let alone leave our property."

While on a rural gravel highway, he approached a car and lost control.

"When he swerved, he hit a tree."

Matthew knew taking out the four wheeler was against the rules but neither he nor his parents knew it was against the law. Michele Merrill says, if he did, he might not have done it.

"It hits you when you least expect it."

Pam Holt of the Safe Kids Coalition says it's tough to get the word out because the law is vague.

"According to Missouri law, riders under 16 can only ride supervised by a parent on a parent's property."

But there's a loophole.

"Define supervision. Is it fact that parent knows they're riding or watching and limiting risk-taking behavior?"

The law doesn't define supervision, which is why Capt. Jeremy Whitehill says Christian County sheriff's deputies have not issued one ticket for riding an ATV unsupervised in the last two years.

"If the law was written with safety in mind to keep kids under 16 from riding ATVs, then there's a big problem with it," said Whitehill.

Without a tough law to back them up, Holt and Whitehill say parents need to lay down their own law. Unfortunately, the Merrills know all too well that even that doesn't always work.

"Kids think they're invincible. They don't think anything is going to happen to them."

That's why she says taking away their access to the ATV while you're not around is the only way to protect your kids.

"If I had another four wheeler, the key would be with me at all times. It wouldn't be where someone could get hold of it."

State Rep. Ray Weter says direct supervision should be defined.

Rep. Bob Dixon wants to take it a step further. He's concerned because the law doesn't even include a penalty for violators. He says there's no point in having a law if you don't give law enforcement means to enforce it. He hopes to give he law more teeth during the next legislative session