All-terrain vehicles--unstable, unsafe and unregulated. A prospective study of ATV-related trauma in rural Ireland

Injury. 2003 Mar;34(3):203-5. doi: 10.1016/s0020-1383(02)00317-0.

Abstract

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are fast, powerful machines that pose a significant threat to public safety. In the USA, ATVs are responsible for 273 deaths and over 68,000 injuries each year. As the incidence of ATV-related accidents in Britain and Ireland is unknown we carried out a prospective audit of all patients presenting to our Accident and Emergency Departments with ATV-related trauma over a 1-year period. Of 32 patients with ATV-associated injuries, 10 were under 16 years of age and 23 had no previous experience of operating an ATV. We documented 24 fractures (2 open) and 1 tension pneumothorax. Helmet usage was high and head injuries were few and not of a serious nature. Two-thirds of injuries occurred on commercial adventure sports courses. Since ATVs are off-road vehicles, they are exempt from safety regulations that apply to other forms of transport. As care-providers to trauma victims, we must make prevention of these injuries a priority and campaign for both voluntary and legislative controls to make ATV use a safer leisure pursuit.

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic / trends*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Emergency Service, Hospital / trends
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ireland / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Off-Road Motor Vehicles / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Off-Road Motor Vehicles / statistics & numerical data*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Wounds and Injuries / epidemiology*
  • Wounds and Injuries / prevention & control