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Do Increased Regulations and

Enforcement Improve All-Terrain Vehicle

Safety?

Gerene Denning, PhDCharles Jennissen, MDKarisa Harland, PhD

Off-Highway Vehicle Parks

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Background

In the U.S., ATV crashes account for over:

• 800 deaths and 130,000 ED visits.

• $4.3 billion in lost lives and medical care.

Risk factors for ATV deaths and injuries are:

• Male and/or under the age of 16.

• Carrying passengers.

• Age-inappropriate sized vehicle.

• Lack of training.

• Alcohol and drugs.

• Riding at night.

• Riding on the road.

No studies have determined how ATV parks affect rider behavior and riding outcomes.

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Iowa ATV Injury Surveillance Database

IA Dept. of Transportation

IA Dept. of Transportation

IA Dept. of Natural Resources

IA Dept. of Natural Resources

IA State Trauma Registry

IA State Trauma Registry

IA Statewide Injury Surveillance Database (2002-2009)IA Statewide Injury Surveillance Database (2002-2009)

Person, vehicle, and crash variables for crashes outside

of ATV parks (N=767)

Person, vehicle, and crash variables for crashes outside

of ATV parks (N=767)

Person, vehicle, and crash variables for crashes inside of

ATV parks (N=46)

Person, vehicle, and crash variables for crashes inside of

ATV parks (N=46)

CompareCompare

Limitations:• Crash location was poorly documented in the state trauma

registry.• The DNR does not continuously monitor the parks.• The DNR does not have sufficient resources to respond to

every park crash.

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Iowa Laws and Park Regulations

Iowa ATV Laws* Park Regulations

All Locations All ATV parks

1. No multiple riders on a single-person ATV2. Riding while under the influence of

intoxicating liquor or narcotics is prohibited.3. Vehicles must be registered with the DNR.4. Resident-owned ATVs must display a valid

DNR registration. 5. Nonresident-owned ATVs must display a

valid nonresident user permit.

*All Iowa laws apply to the ATV parks.1.Must stay on marked trails.2.Must wear a helmet.

Public Lands Some ATV Parks

1. Age limits:Under 12 years old: Parental supervision12-17 years old: Safety certificate

2. Careless, reckless, or negligent operation is prohibited.

3. Speed greater than reasonable or proper under all existing circumstances is prohibited.

4. Noise and headlight/taillight regulations5. No riding on the road except for agricultural

purposes.

1. No children under 12 years of age.2. Allow side-by-sides (UTVs)

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Hypothesis: Age and Training

Children account for ~25% of deaths

and ~30% of injuries.

We hypothesize that park-specific age

restrictions and a requirement for a

training certificate, along with better

enforcement, reduces the proportion of

youth injuries in the parks.

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Youth Victims Off-Road Outside and Inside the Parks

69%

92%

31%

8%

11%

18%

4%

0%

3%

5%

The proportion of youth victims was significantly lower inside vs. outside the parks. (p<0.01).

%C

rash

Vic

tims

%C

rash

Vic

tims

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Hypothesis: No Passenger Law

Passengers are an independent

risk factor for ATV crashes.

We hypothesize that the “no

passenger” law, along with

better enforcement, reduces the

proportion of passenger injuries

in the parks.

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Passenger Victims Off-Road Outside and Inside the Parks

%C

rash

Vic

tims

87%97%

13%3%

The proportion of passenger victims trended toward being lower inside vs. outside the parks. (p = 0.11).

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Hypothesis: Helmet Requirement

Helmets have been shown to

reduce the risk of head injury.

We hypothesize that the helmet

requirement, along with better

enforcement, increases helmet

use and decreases head injuries

in the parks.

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Helmet Use Off-Road Outside and Inside the Parks

% H

elm

et U

se76%

90%

24%

10%

The proportion of helmeted victims was higher inside vs. outside the parks (p<0.0001).

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Head injuries are among the leading causes of death and disability from

ATV crashes.

Background

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Crash severities were similar but head injuries were fewer in the parks vs. outside the parks.

The overall trauma severity was not different (p = 0.57).

The overall proportion of head injuries was less.

%C

rash

Vic

tims

%H

ead

Inju

ry16%

88%84%

12% 10%

94%90%

6%

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Injuries Off-Road Outside and Inside the Parks

All head injuries in the parks were mild (GCS 13-14).

%H

ead

Inju

ry

0%

1%

5%

0%

6%

4%

Glasgow Coma Scale (GSC) Score

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Helmets reduced the likelihood of head injuries.

Iowa Statewide ATV Injury Surveillance Database

Relative likelihood of suffering a head injury

Helmet Use

Odds Ratio 95% CI P value

Yes 0.18 0.04-0.81 P<0.001

No 1.0 (reference)

Likelihood of head injury reduced by 82%

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The pattern of crash mechanisms was different outside and inside the parks.

Collisions

Jumps

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Conclusions

As compared to outside the parks, park crashes involved:

• Lower proportion of injured children.

• Lower proportion of injured passengers.

• Higher levels of helmet use.

• No moderate or severe head injuries.

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Conclusions

However, relative to other off-road locations, parks had a higher proportion of:

• ATV-ATV crashes.

• Jump-related crashes.

We hypothesize that there are high-risk areas in the parks that could be improved to reduce crashes and injuries.

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Public safety laws can reduce deaths and injuries.

What makes laws effective?

• People must know the laws (education).

• All officers must consistently enforce the laws.

• Economic barriers to compliance must be eliminated.

Compliance with laws and regulations appears to be

significantly better in the ATV parks.

• Park rules and regulations, particularly helmet laws.

• Monitoring and enforcement by seasonal park officers.

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Future Directions

Work with stakeholders to:

Increase ATV user knowledge:

• State laws and park regulations.

• ATV safety.

Increase park safety:

• DNR to use video cameras to identify areas in the park with increased crash risk and compliance.

• ATV clubs to create color-coded park maps to help emergency response teams find victims.

Improve crash and injury surveillance:

• Improve DNR collection forms.

• Develop ways to collect crash reports from other agencies.

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Deaths And Injuries From ATV Crashes Are Preventable!

To prevent deaths and injuries and their accompanying financial costs, we need:

• EDUCATION and Public Awareness

• ENGINEERING Safer Vehicles

• ENFORCEMENT of Evidence-Based Public Health and Safety Laws

It takes all stakeholders working together.

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THANK YOU

When we have the power to save lives and health, we have the responsibility to do so.