FACTS
- Nobody should ever allow a child to use an ATV and should always ensure that every rider is properly trained to use the vehicle. Helmets and other safety gear should be used at all times.
- The ATVs themselves must be regularly inspected and maintained.
- Trail operators should ensure that the trail being used is well-maintained and that riders are aware of any hazardous conditions.
- There is virtually no protection for riders. Injuries from crashes can result in:
- Spinal cord damages
- Severe brain/head trauma
- Broken and dislocated bones
- Severe lacerations or amputations
- Massive internal injuries or bleeding
- Injuries require immediate emergency medical care and often result in a person needing extended rehabilitation time and permanently disabled conditions.
STATS
- Every year nationwide approximately 135,000 individuals are injured in ATV-related accidents. There are between 300-400 people killed annually in these accidents with one-third of them children under the age of 16.
- Ages 15 to 24 saw the largest number of ATV operator fatalities, according to the US Department of Transportation (DOT).
- The age group of 35 to 44 had the highest percentage of ATV operators involved in fatal crashes with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, reports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash statistics
- For the latest reporting year, 2017, there were:93,800 ATV injuries treated in emergency rooms throughout the country. There is an average of 500-600 fatalities each year due to ATV accidents. A significant percentage of fatalities occur in children under 16 years of age. From 1982 to 2017, there were 15,250 reported ATV deaths in the United States and millions of injuries. According to the CPSC, there have been 702 reported deaths
- Over a third of on-farm deaths in 2020 are directly attributable to quad bikes and side-by-sides alone.
- 300 people in 2018 died from ATV related accidents.