A spike in traumatic injuries to kids from ATV accidents calls for safety awareness

Children are 1,000 times more likely to be injured riding on an ATV than riding in a car, according to the Utah Department of Health. Photo: Joe Neric

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah. — Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital saw a 34 percent increase in the number of traumatic injuries in kids riding ATVs between 2019 and 2020. So far in 2021, the number of ATV-related injuries is on track to meet or exceed last year’s numbers.

An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) is defined as a motorized off-highway vehicle designed to travel on four low-pressure or non-pneumatic tires, having a seat designed to be straddled by the operator and handlebars for steering control (according to the ATV Safety Institute).

After seeing a spike in ATV-related injuries in kids, safety experts at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital and the Utah Department of Natural Resources, as well as families who’ve experienced injury and loss, are reminding riders to wear a helmet, get educated, and to use the right safety gear to prevent tragedy.

Utah has more traumatic brain injuries among children than almost any other state in the country, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control. ATV crashes play a major role in that statistic. Children are 1,000 times more likely to be injured riding on an ATV than riding in a car, according to the Utah Department of Health.

The Utah Department of Natural Resources, says there has been an uptick in OHV (off-highway vehicle) ownership during the pandemic, with 17,000 new vehicles registered in 2020. Utah now has 214,000 registered OHVs.

Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital hosted a news conference today with safety experts and families from Utah and Las Vegas. They will offer ways to keep kids safe while riding ATVs this July Fourth weekend and throughout the summer.