All-terrain vehicle mortality in Wisconsin: a case study in injury control

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) have resulted in over 1,400 deaths and 400,000 injuries in the United States since their introduction in the 1970s. Analysis of deaths due to ATVs have been limited to a few states. Death certificates for ATVs were abstracted for the years 1983 through 1989 in Wisconsin. Fifty-two deaths were analyzed; 44 (85%) were male, and 26 (50%) were under age 18. Head injuries accounted for 33 (63%) of the deaths. Thirty-one of the deaths (60%) were "immediate", occurring in "seconds", "minutes", or "immediately". Following the model developed by Haddon, there are several promising injury-control strategies: limiting the use of ATVs to those sixteen or older, increasing visibility of vehicles through means such as flags, increasing helmet usage, and improving emergency medical systems services. Many of these strategies are best promoted through statewide legislative policy changes. This injury study model of ATV deaths suggest that a more balanced approach towards injury reduction should have an equal emphasis on improving injury prevention and acute care.