In 2010, there were over 115,000 ATV related emergency-room treated injuries in the U.S. There were 317 reported deaths. This number is down from previous years, where the average number of deaths was 552 over the past five years.
There are many simple ways to reduce these injuries. As created by the ATV Safety Institute, the golden rules of ATV safety are:
- Always wear a DOT-compliant helmet, goggles, long sleeves, long pants, over-the-ankle boots, and gloves.
- Never
ride on paved roads except to cross when done safely and permitted by
law - another vehicle could hit you. ATVs are designed to be operated
off-highway.
- Never ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Never carry a passenger on a single-rider ATV, and no more than one passenger on an ATV specifically designed for two people.
- Ride an ATV that's right for your age.
- Supervise riders younger than 16; ATVs are not toys.
- Ride only on designated trails and at a safe speed.
- Take a hands-on ATV RiderCourse and the free online E-Course. Visit ATVSafety.org or call 800.887.2887.
