Safety Resources for the ATV Enthusiast

Canada is the biggest per capita market for all-terrain vehicles in the world. As of 2004, about 2.5 million Canadians ride ATVs and 850,000 own one.

The all-terrain vehicle (ATV) first came onto the scene in the early 1970s as a multi-purpose utility vehicle. ATVs help utility companies, natural resource exploration corporations and government agencies operate efficiently in the off-road areas where they do much of their work. They are also indispensable in farming, forestry, law enforcement and peacekeeping.

Over the past decade, the vehicles have become very popular for adventure tourism, trail riding and camping. They enable people with limited walking ability to venture into the backcountry and enjoy nature.

An ATV is a powerful machine that requires skill and judgement to operate safely. In the category of sports and recreation¹, ATV-related activities are now the third most common cause of severe injuries next to cycling and snowmobiling. The highest injury rate is among boys aged 15 to 19. Almost 15 percent of the fatalities are children under age 15. A recent American study² of ATV injuries among children found that hospitalizations increased by close to 80 percent between 1997 and 2000.

The industry has worked closely with the Canada Safety Council since the mid 1980s, to train riders and promote safe riding practices. In recent years, the growth in popularity of ATVs, especially among seniors and families, has created the need for a broader-based approach. In response, the Canadian All-Terrain Vehicle Distributors Council (CATV) has stepped up its safety efforts by launching ATV SafetyWatch in January 2005. This program aims to raise public awareness, and to educate riders about the attitudes and skills required to ride safely with minimal impact on the natural environment.

The ATV RiderCourse, which is now part of ATV SafetyWatch, provides hands-on training. The course, based on field-tested techniques, is five and a half to seven hours long. Instructors must be certified by the Canada Safety Council.

CSC has provided the ATV RiderCourse since 1987 with support from CATV, mainly as an occupational safety program. Employers such as utilities and resource companies must train workers who use the vehicles on the job. In addition, the course is mandatory in Quebec for riders aged 14 to 16; other provinces may follow suit.

However, most recreational riders currently do not take formal training. To reach this large and diverse group, ATV SafetyWatch is offering two free resources: the booklet Tips for the ATV Rider, and the CD How to Ride Like a PRO. They cover the basic preparation and skills to operate an ATV safely — from the pre-ride inspection and protective gear, to reading the terrain and knowing how to turn, accelerate and stop. CSC strongly recommends that anyone who rides an ATV should, at a minimum, take advantage of these practical, easy-to-follow learning tools.

ATV enthusiasts can obtain the booklet and CD free of charge by phoning CATV’s toll-free number 1-877-470-2288, by e-mail or through the Rider Information section of its Web site.

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2. Killingsworth JB et al. National hospitalization impact of pediatric all-terrain vehicle injuries. Pediatrics 2005; 115(3): e316-21.