ATV Accident Death and Injury Statistics – Rhode Island

According to a Consumer Product Safety Commission study, more fatalities involving all-terrain vehicles happen each year. While California reports the most fatalities of such accidents, Rhode Island has one the lowest, with only eight reported ATV-related deaths between 1982 and 2011.

ATV Death and Injury Statistics

All-terrain vehicles are popular among anglers, hunters, and a variety of other outdoor lovers, and are designed for off-road use. These vehicle’s low-pressure tires are not meant to be used on paved surfaces, and some are prone to rolling over, leading to spontaneous explosions, gas spills, and fires.

What’s more, many users take their ATVs out onto paved roads, with many crashes and fatalities occurring on those roads, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

ATV Recalls Due to Fire Hazards

Towards the end of last year, Polaris Industries recalled some 9,900 ATVs over worries that they were potential fuel leaks that could cause the vehicles to go up in flames. Persistent fire safety hazards have forced this company, along with the United State Consumer Product Safety Commission to launch more than seven recalls in the last few years, affecting over a quarter million of their off-road vehicles.

According to reports, the vehicles would leak fuel when the air intake duct came into contact with the fuel rail, leading to 35 alleged incidents of fire and damage.

Four months earlier, Polaris recalled over 10,000 RZR Turbo ATV’s. During that recall, 19 fires were reported, six injuries, including one child who suffered severe burns. In a statement released after the recall, the manufacturer said they would be investing an amount of $120 million to research and remedy their vehicle’s fire-related issues. At the time, it was advised that ATV owners cease using Polaris vehicles.

Preventing Fatalities

The ATV Safety Institute, which is a non-profit division of the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, urges ATV and UTV riders always to wear helmets and necessary protective gear, and to never take these vehicles onto public roads or operate them while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Further, it is recommended that riders always check the vehicle’s components as a safety measure, and where possible. Sadly, serious crashes can result in oil or gas spills, and sudden explosions, which in turn result in serious burns and fatalities.

What’s more, children under the age of 16 should be supervised when using the vehicles and additional passengers should never be crowded on ATVs.