All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) injuries can be reduced by following key safety tips identified by the Alberta ATV Working Group. To help Albertans stay safe while operating ATVs, the group was put together in January 2009 to examine the evidence and then develop safety tips that address the most problematic risk factors associated with ATV-related injuries and deaths.
“ATVs aren’t toys, they are powerful and very heavy machines,” says Sharon Schooler from the Alberta Centre for Injury Control & Research and member of the Alberta ATV Working Group. “ATVs are harder to control than they appear. From 2002 to 2008 in Alberta, there were 100 ATV-related deaths and, in 2006 alone, there were 632 hospital admissions and 5,062 emergency department visits.”
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To reduce the risk of serious injury and death:
wear an approved helmet with face and eye protection
no child/youth under 16 years of age should operate an adult ATV
ensure your child/youth only rides an ATV that is appropriate for their age, weight, and maturity – follow manufacturers’ recommendations
drive sober – alcohol, drugs and ATVs don’t mix
refuse to carry or be a passenger on an ATV built for one person
take an ATV-operator training course
For more ATV safety information, go to: The North American Guidelines for Children’s Agricultural Tasks (NAGCAT) www.nagcat.org(enter the search word ATV), Canadian Off-Highway Vehicles Distributors Council www.catv.ca,U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission www.atvsafety.gov.
Look for ATV training courses offered through respected organizations such as: Alberta Safety Council, call toll free 1-800-301-6407 or go to www.safetycouncil.ab.ca.
