CAPS Paper
All-terrain vehicle riding among youth: how do they fair?

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2010.02.021Get rights and content

Abstract

Purpose

Pediatric all-terrain vehicle (ATV) injuries have been increasing annually for more than a decade. The objective of this study was to describe the riding behaviors, helmet use, and crash history of young ATV riders.

Methods

A 38 question self-administered survey was distributed to a convenience sample of children at 4 agricultural fairs during 2007. A total of 228 surveys were reviewed. Collected data included demographic information, ATV characteristics, helmet use, driving habits, and crash history.

Results

Survey respondents were predominantly male (71%) with an average age of 13.6 ± 2.0 years. Riding began at a young age (9.2 ± 3.2 years). Few children reported using age-appropriate sized engines (3% < 90 cm3), and 22% of children rode ATVs with engines more than 300 cm3. Respondents rode primarily for recreation (94%), and more than a third reported riding without a helmet (40%). More than 70% of children reported riding with passengers, 60% without adult supervision, and nearly half (46%) rode after dark. Less than 5% of riders received any formal ATV riding/safety instruction. Of the respondents, 45% reported being involved in an ATV crash. Those children who reported a crash also rode more powerful ATVs, were more often self-taught, and overall reported higher rates of riding with passengers and without supervision, and riding after dark (P < .05).

Conclusion

Dangerous driving behavior among children who ride ATVs is widespread, and current safety recommendations are largely ignored. Renewed efforts are needed to improve safety programs and create policy measures that prevent pediatric ATV crash-related injuries.

Section snippets

Participants

Eligible participants were Connecticut youth between 10 and 17 years of age attending 4 major 2007 Connecticut summer/fall agricultural fairs representing the 4 major geographic areas of the state.

Procedure

After oral informed consent, we administered a brief 35-item self-administered survey.

Measures

Survey questions from Warda et al [15] and Tormoehlen et al [16] were used to help guide the development of a more comprehensive questionnaire. We assessed item construction, comprehension, and ease of completion

Demographics

We collected 238 surveys in 4 separate summer/fall agricultural fairs. The mean age of respondents was 13.5 years and 70% were male.

Experience and ownership

The mean starting age of riding was 9.1 years. One third reported riding an ATV “a lot” and another third “often.” Most riding experience was as a driver (68%), but 14% reported experience only as a passenger, and 18% reported an equal experience as both driver and passenger. We asked the respondents if the ATV they used was their family's (32%), their own (29%),

Discussion

This study provides additional insight into youth ATV use and riding behaviors. Connecticut youth are beginning their ATV riding at a young age and riding ATVs with powerful, adult-sized engines. Furthermore, riding is frequent and mostly for recreation. Riding practices seem to vary significantly by age group, with more risky behaviors being reported by older children.

Another important finding is that risky riding behaviors such as riding without adult supervision, riding after dark, riding in

Acknowledgments

We thank Jyoti Sharma and Chris Szabo for their assistance collecting survey data and Leonard Banco, MD, for his critical review of the article.

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