ATV Accident Death and Injury Statistics – Colorado

There were 209 deaths associated with ATV accidents in Colorado, from 1982 through 2015, based on data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which reported 30 deaths between 2013 and 2015. This is far lower than states such as Texas and California, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported just three fatalities related to all-terrain vehicle accidents on public roads. Nonetheless, accidents do happen, and riders face the risk of severe bodily harm and burns if their vehicle crashes, overturns, or catches fire.

Accidents in the News

Although there is a lower incidence of ATV accident deaths and injuries than many other states, Colorado has had its share of tragic events. In May 2017, a 15-year-old girl from Jackson, Wyoming, was killed in a crash in Montrose County, U.S. News reported. The same month, a Boulder County parks & Open Space employee was found dead with an all-terrain vehicle on top of him along a trail, according to the Denver Post.

There was also a fatal accident involving a motorcycle driver, who collided with an ATV driven by a 15-year-old male in Pueblo County. According to reports, the all-terrain vehicle was going in the wrong direction in a northbound lane, adjacent to a truck. The motorcycle driver died at a nearby hospital. A 13-year-old girl was killed in Weld County, in April, in a crash that also injured two other teenage girls. Driving side by side, the ATVs crashed into a water-filled ditch.

Colorado’s ATV Regulations

The state of Colorado maintains some strict regulations when it comes to all-terrain vehicles. For example, they cannot be driven on paved roads or highways unless it’s necessary to cross them. Riders can go on paved surfaces if they are using the vehicles for agriculture. Also, ATVs must have illuminated headlights and taillights if being driven at night.

Vehicles ridden on private property or used for agriculture are subject to less scrutiny. Otherwise, they must be registered and numbered under state law, and owners are required to renew their registration once a year. Teenagers can legally drive all-terrain vehicles. The state forbids anyone under ten from riding on Off-Highway Vehicle routes if they don’t have a license or aren’t supervised by someone who does.

Colorado Parks & Wildlife has special procedures for reporting ATV and off-highway vehicle accidents. The OHV/Snowmobile Accident Reporting Form is used for this purpose. Any accident must be reported to a local sheriff’s office or a Colorado State Patrol officer within 48 hours if someone injured in the incident is hospitalized or dies, or property damage exceeds $1,500. Failing to report an accident to the proper authorities is a class 2 petty offense. Those convicted of this offense may be fined $75.

Safety and training are not only important for meeting state regulations. All-terrain vehicle drivers may face serious injuries or worse if they are not careful. Driving on public paved roads is banned because ATVs are inherently unstable on paved surfaces. Any crash also comes with the risk of fuel leaks and other damage that can lead to a fire or explosion, causing burns and exacerbating any other injuries.