Fatal ATV Crashes Kill More than 15,000, But Regulations are Controversial

USA- Northcarolinahealthnews.org writes that all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) have been killing Americans in large numbers. The Consumer Product Safety Commission tracks and follows fatal crash statistics involving these vehicles and reports that the total now exceeds 15,000 fatalities. Many of those killed, approximately 20 percent, were children under sixteen years old.*

Annually, the number of deaths has often been over 800. In recent years, reports indicate slightly smaller numbers with a yearly total of about 550 to 650 fatalities. While it may look as though the number of deaths is dropping, this is not really true. Instead, what appears to be occurring is that people are now riding on ROVs, a popular trail machine called recreational off-highway vehicles. ROV deaths are tracked separately from ATV fatalities, and thus the numbers could be the same or higher when it comes to these off-roading vehicles. 

Some are now concerned about the lack of regulations and the fact that riders, especially in rural areas, are pressuring governments to permit off-road vehicles on public roads even though they are not designed for that purpose. 

These vehicles have low tire pressure and are top-heavy in their designs. As such, on paved surfaces, ATVs become less stable and are at a heightened risk of rolling over. More than half of all fatal crashes occur on paved roadways. 

Those who choose to ride ATVs are often staunchly opposed to any government regulations. The riders often view the issue as a freedom of choice matter and resist efforts to improve safety. 

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Source:

https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2019/04/05/atv-deaths-top-15000-threshold-in-latest-government-report/