Off-highway vehicles — including all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, recreational off-highway vehicles, and utility terrain vehicles — kill hundreds of Americans every year, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says the same preventable mistakes are responsible for the majority of deaths. CPSC’s latest data show more than 800 deaths over a recent three-year period and an estimated 94,700 emergency room-treated injuries in a single year.
The Scale of the Problem
From 2018 through 2020, there were 2,448 deaths in the United States associated with off-highway vehicles. All-terrain vehicles accounted for more than two-thirds of the deaths. Nearly 300 deaths were among children under the age of 16, and ATVs were involved in 92 percent of all OHV injuries over a five-year period.
These five states accounted for more than 30 percent of all off-highway vehicle deaths from 2018 through 2020: Pennsylvania, California, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Florida.
The Mistakes That Kill
Riding on paved roads. ATVs are not designed for paved road use. On pavement, they are significantly harder to control and are at risk of collisions with on-road vehicles. At least 900 deaths in a four-year period were related to ATVs being ridden on public roads.
Children on adult-sized vehicles. Riders younger than 16 should never drive adult-sized ATVs. Children on adult ATVs account for a significant share of fatalities — nearly half of the child fatalities in one studied period involved children under 12.
Carrying passengers on single-rider vehicles. Most ATVs are designed for one rider. Carrying a passenger on a single-rider ATV dramatically increases the risk of rollover and ejection.
No helmet. Head injuries are a leading cause of ATV and off-highway vehicle fatalities. Always wear a properly fitted helmet approved for off-highway use.
Alcohol. Riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs judgment, reaction time, and balance — all critical in off-road environments.
Safety Rules
- Riders under 16 should only drive age-appropriate youth model ATVs — never adult models.
- Always wear a helmet, eye protection, boots, gloves, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt.
- Never ride on public roads except to cross where permitted by law.
- Never carry a passenger unless the vehicle is specifically designed for two riders.
- Complete a hands-on ATV safety training course before riding.
- Never ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, visit SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772.
Source: https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/ATV-Safety-Information-Center
