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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.
