June 16, 2005

INJURIES FROM ATV ACCIDENTS ON THE RISE
UVa Children’s Hospital Seeing More Cases

Injuries to children riding all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are on the rise nationally, spurring a new debate about creating federal legislation to manage the problem. It is an  issue familiar to several physicians at the UVa Children’s Hospital who have lobbied in the past for tougher restrictions on ATV use. In the past two years, the UVa Children’s Hospital has treated patients for 98[1] ATV-related admissions; three deaths also occurred because of ATV-related injuries. Nearly half of those severely injured were under 18 years of age. There is new hope that this attention will lead to actions aimed at preventing further tragedies.

“Those of us who care for pediatric trauma patients feel that these devastating injuries we see from ATV accidents are completely preventable,” said Dr. Julie Haizlip, assistant professor of pediatrics in the critical care division of the UVa Children’s Hospital. “Two thirds of the patients we see with ATV-related injuries have head or spinal cord injuries. Clearly, this type of injury can be life-threatening or permanently disabling.”

According to the UVa Children’s Hospital Safe Kids chapter , a 1997 survey showed that 60 percent of ATV-owning households are located in areas with populations of less than 100,000 persons. These households are more prevalent in the South and less prevalent in the Northeast. “I understand that ATVs are not only used recreationally, but are also important in many people’s daily work,” adds Haizlip. “It’s not an end to ATV use that we’re advocating, but safe use with restrictions where young children are concerned.”

Until laws can be changed regulating the age at which ATVs can be used, there are ways for families to prevent accidents while riding these vehicles.

  • No children under six should ride on ATVs.
  • No child under 16 should operate an adult-sized all-terrain vehicle under any circumstances. If a child operates a youth-sized ATV, it should be according to the manufacturer’s instructions on a machine that is an appropriate size.
  • Children should never operate ATVs on public roads or paved surfaces. ATVs should be operated only on designated trails.
  • All youth-sized ATVs should employ throttle limiters and be equipped with identification flags.
  • Personal protective equipment for ATV operators should include U.S. Department of Transportation-approved helmet with face protection, goggles (if the helmet does not have face protection), a long-sleeved shirt or long pants, non-skid boots and gloves.
  • Never carry passengers on ATVs.
  • Children and their parent or guardian should enroll in and successfully complete an approved ATV safety course.

Virginia mandates adult-size ATV operators be 16 years of age or older. For more information, please call The UVa Children’s Hospital Safe Kids  chapter at (434) 243-5862.

###

[1] Number gathered from the UVa Trauma Program Database