You can’t pick up a newspaper (if you even still do that) or look at the news online these days without hearing about Boomers starting second careers, beginning a new business, or going on adventures. And, of course, included in the adventure category are all the sports and activities we never had time to do when we were younger and overworking.  Bungee jumping, bobsledding, skydiving, etcetc are only a few of things we’re taking up. Included with these is the use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) for recreational use. Have you read about them and think they look interesting? Read on…

 A new study published in the October 2010 issue of the journal Neurosurgery* by researchers at the University of Utah found that accidents due to ATVs are increasing in the US, and are causing serious spinal cord and brain injuries. Focusing on ATV injuries in the state of Utah, they found that there were nearly 1500 injuries due to ATVs in just 5 years.  Of these, half had injuries to the spinal cord or brain. Most patients had injuries severe enough to require emergency transport to a hospital; there were 4 patients who were dead on arrival, and 15 who died in the hospital of injuries sustained.

Surprised? It gets worse.  Since children as young as 8 years old are allowed to operate ATVs, and since there is no legal helmet requirement, many of the injured were kids with head injuries. A different study showed that injuries in kids nearly tripled over a 10 year period. Another surprising finding (or maybe not so surprising) was that helmets were worn only sporadically – in both kids and adults. And, the estimated national costs of ATV-related injuries are $3.24 billion annually.

Since ATVs are by their very nature unstable, mandating requirements for their safe use  – short of banning them – is a problem.  Three-wheeled vehicles have been banned in some states, but there is no national legislation regarding ATVs. The authors suggest that the following might help to decrease injuries due to ATVs:  requiring helmet use, increasing the supervision of children on ATVs, educating the public and maybe even requiring rider training.

After reading this, are you SURE you want that ATV for Xmas? Before you answer that, remember that you’re a role model for not only your kids but others as well. So, think again…

*Finn,MA, MacDonald JD, A Population-Based Study of All-Terrain Vehicle-Related Head and Spinal Injuries; Neurosurgery,October 2010, vol 67, issue 4, pp 993-997.