- The ARC - California Edition -

Food for Preventive Thought

DEATHS AND INJURIES - ATVS — About ten or fifteen years ago, there was reported to be a large surge of deaths and serious injuries which were being associated with the so-called recreational All-Terrain-Vehicles (ATVs).

As the death and injury numbers grew, a number of solutions were quickly proposed. Redesign the ATVs so they cannot overturn! Mandate the use of helmets! Don’t let anyone under age 25 use such a vehicle! No passengers! No alcohol! No speed! Ban the vehicle!!!

Often we hear the subjective definition of the problem, but seldom do we learn whether the selected solution worked. In a recent issue of the MMWR, a report was included about what happened in West Virginia.

During the 1985 through 1997 period, 88% of the deaths which occurred in that state were male, the average age was 29 years for males, and was 16 years for females. The immediate cause of death for two-thirds of those killed was from head and neck injuries.
Seventy-four percent of those killed from head and neck injury were not wearing any type of head protection. Other factors included the use of alcohol and drugs which occurred in about 20% of the deaths, and excessive speed which was involved in about 10% of the incidents which resulted in death.

Collisions of the ATV with some other object (tree, guardrail, rock, other vehicle) accounted for the largest proportion of the deaths - 42%. An ATV upset occurred during incidences involving 38% of the deaths.

The above data speaks to West Virginia results. Nationally there have been almost 3,000 three- and four-wheel ATV-related deaths in the US. The death rate has occurred since 1985, but the yearly death toll has remained fairly stable since 1992.

In 1982, ATV distributors agreed to nationally prohibit the sale of any new three-wheel ATVs and prohibited the sale of adult-sized four-wheel ATVs for use by children. Other prevention prohibitions have been established state-by-state.