For the third consecutive year, Gov. Mark Sanford has vetoed “Chandler’s Law,” a bill that would require children to wear protective gear when they’re riding all-terrain vehicles. Lawmakers say this is the year they hope to override his veto.

While the governor says he opposes the bill because it infringes on private property rights, supporters say it’s needed to prevent the deaths of children on ATVs.

“I was disappointed that the governor chose to veto it. It’s a piece of legislation that could prevent future tragic accidents for children riding four-wheelers. We’ve had several children die in four-wheeler accidents in our community, and we need to make sure children receive the proper training before they ride,” said House Minority Leader Harry Ott, D-St. Matthews.

Steve and Pamela Saylor of Swansea began pushing for the law four years ago after the death of their child, Chandler, in an ATV accident. Chandler was 16 when he lost control of an ATV, striking a tree.

They originally sought restrictions on ATV riders age 16 and under. This year, lawmakers took a different approach, seeking to require safety training for children under 15 before they can ride an ATV. The bill would also require them to wear a helmet and eye protection.

The bill would make it illegal for children 6 and under to operate an ATV.

Sanford says the Saylors’ effort to pass the bill is commendable and acknowledged the scholarship fund they started in Chandler’s name.

Even so, he believes the bill imposes more government into private lives.

The bill would also impose a hidden tax on ATV owners, he said, by requiring them to have their children take an ATV safety course. While those courses are free to people who purchase a new ATV, people who buy used ones would have to pay for them, he said.

The governor said his biggest problem with the bill is that it will intrude into people’s private property rights by forcing them to take a class to ride an ATV in their own backyards.

“I am still concerned that this legislation will bring about the unintended consequences of growing government, impinging on private property rights, and diminishing parental responsibility,” Sanford said in his veto message.

Pamela Saylor said “How do you respond to a governor that vetoes a child safety bill? Three more children have died on ATVs since the veto last year. He should have to talk to those parents and explain why they took such action against a child-safety bill.”

When asked what it would take for the governor to sign the bill into law she said, “Unless he loses one of his own children in an ATV accident, then he might decide to vote for it.”

Despite the veto, the Saylors will say they will continue their effort to get the bill passed.

Sen. Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg, said he will be mobilizing his fellow senators to override the veto.

“The governor has been lobbying people to sustain his veto. Many of us don’t understand the rationale, perhaps it is to continue his record, but we will take it up,” Hutto said.

Like the Saylors, Hutto doesn’t understand Sanford’s belief that the bill would infringe on parental responsibilities and property rights.

“A lot of things we as lawmakers don’t leave up to parents, like whether they go to school, can buy cigarettes and alcohol. In the interest of society, we pass rules regarding children. I don’t understand why this is any different,” Hutto said. Hutto added that in order for the law to be meaningful, it has to apply to private property.

“The Saylors are committed to the cause and they have been successful. They have basically convinced virtually everybody except one man,” Hutto said.

T&D Staff Writer Lee Tant can be reached at ltant@timesand democrat.com and 803-534-1060. Discuss this story and others online at www.TheTandD.com.

You must be logged in to comment.