Child Safety

Off-road vehicles are important to many people's lifestyles, for both recreation and work. But as activity grows, too many children are getting hurt - roughly 30% of all off-road vehicle deaths and injuries are kids under 16. Over the past five years, the child death rate due to accidents has increased 24% and the child hospitalization rate has gone up nearly 70%.

According to the ATV Safety Institute, a not-for-profit division of the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, there are several “Golden Rules” of ATV safety that riders of all ages should follow, including:

1. Always wear a helmet and other protective gear.

2. Never ride on public roads - another vehicle could hit you.

3. Never ride under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

4. Never carry a passenger on a single-rider vehicle.

5. Ride an ATV that's right for your age.

6. Supervise riders younger than 16; ATVs are not toys.

7. Ride only on designated trails and at a safe speed.

8. Take an ATV RiderCourse; Call toll-free at 800.887.2887, or go to www.atvsafety.org to sign up or try the new online e-course.

Off-road vehicle safety should be taken seriously by all riders.

According to a report by an injury prevention specialist at West Virginia University, the child death rate on ORVs has increased 24% over the past five years.

Among the report's other findings:

The total economic costs related to the youth ORV deaths increased 45% over the past five years (from $673 million to $973 million) while costs decreased 5% for the young bicycle riders ($776 million to $738 million).

Medical costs related to child ORV deaths increased nearly 70%, while medical costs related to child bicycle deaths decreased 20%.

Total Economic Cost Related to Youtful ATV Chart

120 children died in off-road vehicle accidents in 2005 compared to 64 in 1995. Moreover, more than 44,000 children were hospitalized due to accidents on ORVs in 2005 compared to 19,300 in 1995.

Child ORV injuries requiring emergency room treatment cost society $2.5 billion annually in medical and economic costs and emotion trauma.

State by State Momentum

Community Voices

“Once they chased our cow into a deep arroyo where it fell and broke its neck. I don't understand how anyone could think chasing livestock is fun.” As a result of the growing conflicts with off-roaders, the Gonzales family stopped their cattle ranching. It doesn't matter whether it is a plate or decal, what is important is that the identification is visible. The police could have tracked down the illegal riders if we had been able to photograph the IDs on their vehicles. I think that would have made them think twice before breaking the law.”

- Eleanor Gonzales, private property owner in Santé Fe County, NM