From 1985 through 1997, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) identified 113 deaths associated with all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in West Virginia. This report summarizes data f rom the CPSC ATV-related death database and on-site and/or follow-up telephone investigations; findings indicate that approximately two thirds of deaths were caused by injury to the head or neck. Consistent use of helmets by riders can substantially reduce ATV-related deaths. CPSC compiles information on ATV-related deaths from its main injury and death database files; data sources for these files include medical examiner and coroner reports, death certificates, newspaper clippings, referrals, and consumer reports of ATV crashes. An ATV-related death was defined as a death caused by injury of a driver or passenger of an ATV that was operated for nonoccupational purposes. To meet the case definition, the cause of death had to be attributed to the ATV incident rather than to a preceding event (e.g., myocardial infarction while riding an ATV). Of the 113 ATV-related deaths in West Virginia during 1985-1997, 100 (88%) occurred among mates (Table 1). Age at death ranged from 18 months to 75 years (mean age: 29 years for mates; 17 years for females); 18 (16%) persons were aged <12 years, and 11 (10%) were aged >55 years. The immediate cause of two thirds of deaths was trauma to the head or neck. Of the 74 persons who died from head or neck injuries, at least 55 (740/o) were not wearing helmets at the time of the crash. Information on helmet use was not available for 17 (23%) deaths, In the remaining two (3%) deaths, one driver's helmet cracked when he hit a tree, and in the other case, the driver collided with a truck, and the impact forced the helmet off of his head. Other factors that may have contributed to ATV-related deaths included alcohol or drug use (20% of cases), carrying passengers (25%), and excessive speed (10%). Collisions accounted for the largest proportion (42%) of deaths; the most common collisions were with fixed objects (e.g., trees, cable wires, guardrails, and rocks) (32%) and with other vehicles (10%) (Table 1). ATVs that overturned and landed on riders accounted for 38% of deaths; overturns occurred in ditches, ravines, embankments, and on other rough terrain. Thirty-eight of 55 West Virginia counties reported fatal ATV incidents, with 40% of deaths occurring in four of the most populated counties: Kanawha (17 deaths), Cabell (12), Monongalia (nine), and Wood (seven). Thirty-seven deaths (33%) occurred while ATVs were being operated on paved roadways, and 100 (89%) deaths occurred among drivers. Sixty percent of fatal incidents occurred during May-September. During 1985-1997, West Virginia averaged nine ATV-related deaths annually. From 1996 to 1997, the number of deaths increased from 15 to 19. Because patterns of ATV use in West Virginia during the study period were not assessed, no conclusions about the risk for death to ATV riders were determined. (A)
Abstract