You are quite right that the number of accidents involving all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) has been on the rise for the last 10 years. And many of these accidents are high-energy resulting in some serious injuries (even deaths).
What makes these machines so dangerous? Power, speed and uneven or steep terrain. The first ATV models were seven-horse power. Remember, that means the engine has the pulling power of seven horses hooked up together. Today there are 500 horsepower ATVs available on the market.
What can be done to prevent these life-changing (and life-threatening) injuries? Awareness of the problem is always the first step. Reports on ATV injuries are helpful in pointing out to all of us how significant ATV-related accidents and injuries can be for all age groups.
We need better injury prevention strategies. Drivers who do not have the strength, body mass, and motor control to handle a 500-horsepower machine should not be driving them. Injuries are more likely in younger, smaller individuals, especially children.
They are less able to stop a vehicle roll over. Girls have less strength and often have more ligamentous and joint laxity. These two physical features combined together may have a significant impact on their ability to hold up during a rollover or other ATV accident.
Emotional maturity and judgment are important too but much more difficult to measure(in adults and children). Older children who might be better able to stop a rollover are also going faster and taking more chances. The recommended age for ATV use is 16 and older. Parents and guardians would be wise to enforce this age restriction.
The use of protective helmets that have been sized specifically for each rider must be enforced. Several studies have shown that many people injured in ATV accidents were not wearing a safety helmet. The safest vehicle is only as safe as the owner and operator!