All-terrain vehicle injuries in children: It's time for advocacy

The release of the Canadian Paediatric Society position statement on its recommendations for all-terrain vehicle (ATV) use in Canada (see rec # 8090) serves as a reminder of the concern the medical and injury prevention community have regarding the continual increase in the number of injuries associated with ATV use. Even over the past five years, a period when voluntary standards, education and some legislative efforts should have offered solutions to this problem, studies continue to show increasing risks of injury to children operating ATVs, both recreationally and on the farm. According to the American Consumer Product and Safety Commission (CPSC), not only are absolute numbers increasing among all ages, but the rates of injuries per driving hour and per driver have jumped significantly from 1997 to 2001. While 18-year-old to 25-year-old operators have the highest probability of sustaining an injury, the next highest is for those aged 12 to 16 years, whose risk almost doubled over this time period. Taking away the effect of alcohol, which plays a larger role in ATV-related injuries sustained by young adults, it is likely that the true risk may actually be highest for the younger age range. Expectedly, comparable escalations in injuries have occurred in Canada. A recent report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information revealed a 50% increase in ATV-related hospitalizations from 1996/1997 to 2000/2001, with 36% occurring in children and youth. This is clearly a red flag not to be ignored. The reality is that ATVs are getting bigger and faster, as are the industry and sales. Unfortunately, preventive policy development has not kept pace.