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16 ATV Deaths This Year Prompt Need for Training

Posted on: Monday, 15 May 2006, 09:03 CDT

By Danielle E. Koval, The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.

May 15--All-terrain vehicles are popular with many outdoor enthusiasts to get around West Virginia's rural and scenic environment. Each year millions of riders do it safely, but as the popularity of ATVs increases, so do the numbers of ATV-related deaths and injuries.

In 2005, 40 people were killed in ATV-related incidents in West Virginia. At the rate accidents are happening this year, the number of ATV-related deaths statewide could top the 2005 total.

By the end of April 2005, there were seven deaths from ATVs in West Virginia. This year, so far, there have been 16 ATV-related deaths statewide.

There are several reasons behind this. More riders are out there, and many of them disregard manufacturers' recommendations. They also lack an understanding of the risks of riding an ATV and disregard their own safety.

"Training is paramount," said Dr. Jim Helmkamp, director of the WVU Injury Control Research Center. "When adults and kids start riding, I don't think that they understand the dangers and risks associated with operating an ATV."

The research center is part of the Center for Rural Emergency Medicine and the Robert C. Byrd Health and Sciences Center. Both centers specialize in ATV injury research. The ICRC provides injury prevention research and information to state lawmakers and educational injury training for the general public to raise safety education and awareness.

The ATV data from the research center played a major role in helping the West Virginia State Legislature pass the mandatory ATV regulations in 2004.

"Has this law done any good? I think it is too early to tell, but disturbingly the deaths we have experienced so far this year -- we know of 16 so far -- maybe there are parts of it that aren't working and maybe can be revised or changed," Helmkamp said.

Helmkamp said most injuries occur when riders neglect to follow certain "common sense issues," like never riding an ATV on a paved surface such as asphalt, and never using drugs or alcohol while operating an ATV.

More than one-third of all ATV accidents involve injuries to passengers. One major issue riders commonly overlook is carrying a passenger on an ATV intended for a single rider.

Riders commonly neglect to wear proper safety gear, including helmets -- especially children under the age of 18.

Of all crash victims in 2005, 95 percent were not wearing helmets. Minimum ATV safety wear includes an approved helmet, goggles, long sleeves, jeans and leather boots. Optional items include a kidney belt and off-road pants.

Children are involved in 25 percent of all ATV fatalities in West Virginia.

"Parents need to take a more active role in teaching their child to ride an ATV safely," Helmkamp said.

This involves not buying a child an adult-sized ATV. All machines should properly fit the child for individual age requirements. If a child is under age 18, parents must also enroll the child in a vehicle rider safety awareness course offered by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.

"The most important thing a parent can do is set a good example for their children," Helmkamp said.

This includes demonstrating proper safety skills like wearing a safety helmet and exhibiting good judgement and behavior.

ATVs are extremely popular items at local dealerships such as Morgantown Honda Yamaha, Suzuki, KTM, which sells between 75 and 100 ATVs each month.

Matt Watson, assistant sales director at Morgantown Honda, has been riding ATVs for more than 20 years.

"I think the responsibility starts at home," Watson said.

Dealerships like Morgantown Honda and individual ATV manufacturers offer training courses through the ATV Safety Institute called "Enrollment Express," which was designed to give new riders hands-on experience and show them proper riding techniques.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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Source: The Dominion Post (Morgantown, W.Va.)

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