Related Experiment Videos
All terrain vehicles (ATVs). A recreational gamble
A Vasilakis1, T Vargish, K N Apelgren
1Department of Surgery, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown.
The American Surgeon
|March 1, 1989
Summary
All-terrain vehicle (ATV) accidents result in significantly higher death and injury rates compared to motor vehicle and motorcycle accidents. ATVs pose a serious health hazard, leading to increased risks of fractures, spinal cord injuries, and fatalities for riders of all ages.
Area of Science:
- Trauma surgery
- Public health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are increasingly popular recreational and utility vehicles.
- However, concerns exist regarding the safety of ATV operation and the severity of injuries sustained in ATV-related accidents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the incidence and severity of injuries, including death rates, fracture rates, and spinal cord lesions with permanent neurologic deficit, between patients admitted for all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accidents and those admitted for motor vehicle accidents (MVA) and motorcycle accidents (MCA).
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of 28 admissions due to ATV accidents between September 1985 and July 1986.
- Comparison of injury data (death rates, fracture rates, spinal cord lesions with deficit) with simultaneously reviewed data from MVA and MCA admissions during the same period.
Main Results:
- ATV accidents resulted in higher death rates (10.7%) compared to MVAs (4.6%) and MCAs (1.2%) (P = .0395).
- Fracture rates were 75% for ATVs, 53% for MVAs, and 65% for MCAs (P = .265).
- Spinal cord lesions with permanent neurologic deficit were significantly higher in ATV accidents (10.7%) than in MVAs (2.3%) and MCAs (4.4%) (P = .0001).
- Patients in the ATV group experienced multiple abrasions, lacerations, contusions, and a high incidence of fractures and head injuries.
Conclusions:
- All-terrain vehicle riders face a substantially higher risk of severe injuries, including fractures, significant spinal cord injuries, and death, when compared to motor vehicle and motorcycle riders.
- ATVs represent a significant public health hazard requiring further attention and potential safety interventions.