Farm Progress Show Attendees' Use, Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Off-Road Vehicles on Public Roads

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Transportation Safety
• Rural Health

Background:

• All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility task vehicles (UTVs) are increasingly used on public roads, despite not being designed for such use.
• A significant number of fatalities involving ATVs and UTVs occur on public roadways.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the usage patterns, knowledge, and attitudes of rural residents concerning ATVs/UTVs on public roads.
• To identify misconceptions about the safety of operating these vehicles on roadways.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted among attendees at the 2022 Farm Progress Show (N=361).
• Data collected included self-reported driving behaviors, perceived safety, and beliefs about vehicle design and manufacturer recommendations.

Main Results:

• Over 90% of ATV/UTV users reported driving on unpaved public roads, and over 75% on paved roads.
• A majority of respondents believed it was safe to operate ATVs/UTVs on both unpaved and paved public roads.
• Many participants held false beliefs regarding the suitability of ATVs/UTVs for road use and the prevalence of roadway-related fatalities.

Conclusions:

• Rural residents frequently operate ATVs and UTVs on public roads with prevalent misconceptions about safety.
• There is a critical need for educational initiatives to inform users about the risks of roadway operation and promote safer practices.