ATV Accident Death and Injury Statistics - Connecticut

In Connecticut, there were 48 all-terrain vehicle accident fatalities between 1982 and 2015, based on ongoing reporting by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Also, the CPSC found just two deaths between 2013 and 2015. The statistics put the state sixth from last place, ahead of only Hawaii, Delaware, Rhode Island, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

Connecticut has a few age requirements when it comes to driving all-terrain vehicles. A safety education course must be completed by anyone under 18 who drives an ATV and, on state-owned land, no person under 12 can operate such a vehicle. There are also restrictions on riders from 12 to 15 years old. Unless they have a certificate or are supervised by a trained adult 18 or older, they are forbidden from driving, to ensure they ride safely and are less at risk of losing control, crashing, or getting injured or even burned.

The state also prohibits youth ATVs from being driven at night. All-terrain vehicles are also banned from paved roads and highways. Only licensed operators can cross these, and they must do so at only a 90-degree angle. Anyone riding on public land must have a certificate of safety training, which can be obtained from the Environmental Protection Commissioner.

Recent ATV Deaths and Injuries in Connecticut

An ATV crash in Hartford killed a 16-year-old man after he lost control of the vehicle in June 2017, hitting a utility pole and two vehicles parked nearby. Witnesses didn’t see the driver wearing a helmet, a major factor in many all-terrain vehicle accident injuries.

In May 2016, a 37-year-old male in New Milford perished after his vehicle overturned. The incident occurred in his driveway; his four-year-old son survived with a broken jaw. In June 2014, the CT Post reported on the increasing prevalence of ATV injuries, citing a fatal accident involving a football player from Western Connecticut State University on a family farm, and two teenagers from New Fairfield being hurt in an accident in New York. The report, also revealing the death of an 11-year-old boy, noted the challenges of regulating activities, such as driving these vehicles, which occur on private property.

ATV-Related Deaths and Injuries Are an Increasing Problem

In 2015, there were about 97,200 injuries related to ATV accidents nationwide, according to the CPSC. Of these, 28 percent involved children under 16 years old. The speed and power of these vehicles mean individuals must be trained and have the strength and perception to operate them safely. Otherwise, there is a high risk of losing control, and all-terrain vehicles are notable for causing major injuries and even burns. They can not only turn over but also catch fire or explode if a fuel line, for example, is damaged in a collision or rollover.