State-Specific ATV-Related Fatality Rates: An Update in the New Millennium

Objectives: We compared state-specific all-terrain vehicle (ATV) fatality rates from 2000-2007 with 1990-1999 data, grouping states according to helmet, training, and licensure requirements. Methods: We used the CDC WONDER online database to identify ATV cases from 2000-2007 and calculate rates per 100,000 population by state, gender, and age. Results: ATV deaths (n = 7,231) occurred at a rate of 0.32 per 100,000 population. Males accounted for 86% of ATV-related deaths at a rate that was six times that for females (0.55 vs. 0.09 per 100,000 population, respectively); 60% of the male deaths occurred in the 15- to 44-year age group. With the exception of the two oldest age categories, rates were consistently higher in the no-helmet-law group. Both the number and rate of ATV-related deaths increased more than threefold between 1990-1999 and 2000-2007. West Virginia and Alaska continue to have the highest ATV fatality rates (1.63 and 2.67 ATV deaths per 100,000 population, respectively). Conclusions: Helmet-use requirements seem to slightly mitigate ATV-related death, but training requirements do not. For policy to be effective, it must be enforced.