ATV deaths and injuries continue to outpace safety efforts - all-terrain vehicles
Author: CPSC Monitor

One of the most frustrating safety issues to confront the CPSC has been the risk of death and injury from riding ATVs (All-Terrain Vehicles).

Commissioners held a regional public hearing on ATV safety in Morgantown, West Virginia, June 5. From reports from those who attended, no one came up with specific causes or solutions to the high risk of injury on ATVs.

Latest reports indicate that from 1997 to 2001, the estimated number of ATV-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms rose from 54,700 to 111,700--an increase of 104 percent. Injuries to children under 16 rose by 57 percent.

While the number of drivers and driving hours rose and the estimated number of ATVs in use also rose, it is said that the data still do not explain the steep rise in injuries over that 1997-2001 time period. (12)

Some believe the increased number of injuries is related to the large increase in the size of ATV engines in use--ATVs with engine sizes greater than 400 cubic centimeters, for example. Injuries to kids under 16 occurred most frequently when they were driving ATVs larger than the recommended size for this group--(90 CCS.) (13)

A recent tragic accident near Washington DC, in Prince George's County, MD, seems to confirm that part of the data. A 14 year-old boy, Carlton Powell, Jr., took a ride on a Yamaha FX 250 cc, which was intended only for people 18 and older, and died when the he lost control of the 4-wheeler and it landed on top of him. (14)