One of the most common outdoor recreational activities seen throughout Southwest Florida is ATV riding. What an adventure for kids and adults alike, whether it’s for fun or for work. On the flip side, crashes and injuries have increased yearly due to more people using ATVs. Statistics show that more than 26% of the crashes and injuries caused by ATVs and treated in emergency rooms involved children younger than 16 years old, and 44% of these are children younger than 12 years old.
Getty Images/iStockphoto
Some of the most common ATV injuries are to the head and neck (29%), spinal cord, arm (29%), leg (21%), torso (20%), internal injuries and fractures.
ATV riders can prevent or reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities by preparing with proper training, practicing to expand skills and following the rules of ATV safety:
- Ride an ATV that’s right for your age. Keep in mind that although a child meets age recommendations, not all children will have the strength, skills or judgment needed to operate an ATV. Other important considerations are physical size, visual perception, emotional maturity and the ability to make good decisions.
- Read and follow the ATV owner’s manual, warnings and labels.
- Before every ride, make sure that you check your ATV tires, oil, fuel, breaks, lights, chain or chassis.
- Always wear protective gear and clothing, like a DOT-compliant helmet, goggles, pants, long sleeves or jacket, gloves and over-the-ankle boots.
- Never carry a passenger on a single-rider ATV, and no more than one passenger on a two-rider ATV.
- Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Always supervise riders younger than 16. Even though your child has learned safety and riding skills, they can get tired easily and become careless about their surroundings and need your help to judge if it’s safe.
- Ride only on designated trails and at a safe speed.
- Carry a tool kit and strong tow rope in case you have any mechanical problems. It’s important to do periodic maintenance as indicated in the owners’ manual.
- Never ride on paved roads except to safely cross when permitted by law. Remember, ATVs are designed for off- road riding and handle differently than cars or motorcycles.
- Take a hands-on ATV Rider Course and free online E-Course. You can find them at ATVsafety.org or call 800-887-2887. There are hands-on courses available for children 6 and older, teens and adults.
- Parents, also get to know all about the care, maintenance, operation and warnings of the ATV your child is using.
Teaching your child to learn to properly operate and safely ride an ATV is key to preventing crashes and injuries. Search online for programs near you to take a hands-on course and search for trails where everyone can be safe and enjoy their ride.
For ATV Safety awareness and more information, contact us at 239-254-4277 or email me at Brenda.Hernandez@LeeHealth.org
Resources
ATV Safety Institute: atvsafety.org
2017 Annual Report of ATV-Related Deaths and Injuries, February 2019: cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/atv_annual%20Report%202017_for_website.pdf
Brenda Hernandez, a child advocate at Lee Health, writes on behalf of Safe Kids Southwest Florida, a nonprofit coalition of agencies and organizations dedicated to eliminating preventable childhood injuries, safekidsswfl.org.