ATV Accident Death and Injury Statistics – Tennessee

In Tennessee, we read stories of tragedy that chronical heart-wrenching loss. Many a time, a young child’s life is lost due to an ATV accident, fire, or spontaneous explosion. For many years, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has kept the statistics on ATV-related injuries and deaths. Between 1982 and 2011, there were just under 12,000 deaths in the United States. Of that amount, Tennessee ranked seventh with a total of 358 deaths. California led the nation with more than 500 deaths.

Nationally, over 2,800 fatalities involved children under sixteen years of age, 43 percent of which were children under the age of twelve years. What’s more, 107,500 ATV-related injuries were treated in emergency rooms.

Fortunately, ATV fatalities and injuries have seen a steady decline, with the estimated number of ATV-related fatalities have declined year after year between 2006 and 2011.

ATV Fire Hazards

However, while injuries have declined significantly over the last few years, this year has seen several manufacturers recall specific models due to fire risks. In March this year, ATV manufacturer, Polaris, recalled close to 20,000 Sportsman 850 as well as Sportsman 1000 ATVs due to fire risks. The manufacturer decided to recall the vehicles due to the right-side heat shield potentially melting. In particular, the 2015 Sportsman 1000 models have exhaust rings that could stretch, damaging the seal, and leading to exhaust links. In both instances, riders and passengers on these ATVs could be at an increased risk of fire and burn dangers. Polaris has to date received reports of around 47 fires, four burn injuries, and nearly 800 incidents of melted, warped, or burned side panels.

Safety Initiatives

To date, there are over 10 million four-wheel ATVs in use, which has more than tripled since 1998. However, the ATV Safety Institute has notes that major manufacturers and distributors of all-terrain vehicles have been working closely with the CSPS to implement safety initiatives, including parental supervision, state legislation, and rider education.

In 2009, the ATV industry’s voluntary vehicle standard was deemed mandatory as a result of federal legislation which necessitates that all distributors and manufacturers of ATVs, no matter where the product may be manufactured, must adhere to the same training programs and safety standards. Under federal legislation, all manufacturers of ATVs must certify that their products conform to these standards, and they have to file safety action plans with the CPSC.

However, it remains that ATV fires and explosions can and do, happen, resulting in severe burns and even death. While it is up to manufacturers to conform to such safety standards, riders in Tennessee are advised, as best as possible, to regularly check and service their off-road vehicles for optimum safety and precautions.