ATVs Injuries Dropped Slightly to <94K in 2014, CPSC Data Show

There were an estimated 93,700 injuries involving all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in 2014, according to data that CPSC made available January 29. This is less, but not significantly so, than the 99,600 in 2013, the report authors wrote.

For the 2014 figure, about 26% involved youth younger than 16 years. This group also saw an insignificant drop between the two years: 25,000 to 22,700.

Other age groups also did not see significant changes, and the only one to experience an increase was 35-44 (12,300 to 13,700). Others results were 25-34 (21,600 to 19,800), 45-54 (8,000 to 7,400), and 55+ (6,500 to 5,300).

On the other hand, looking at 2012 to 2014, CPSC noted a statistically significant downward trend in injuries on four-wheel units: 105,500 to 92,200. This trend also was significant for any number of wheels: 107,900 to 93,700.

Moreover, the authors noted the past significant increase in all ATV injuries from 2001 to 2007 (110,100 to 150,900), saying the trend has reversed with a statistically significant drop since 2007: 150,900 to 93,700.

An 87% majority of injuries in 2014 involved treatment and release. Most common were contusions or abrasions (24%) and fractures (22%). Body parts involved were necks (28%), arms (28%), legs (23%), and torsos (20%).

Meanwhile, CPSC knew of 665 and 650 deaths in 2012 and 2013 respectively but cautioned that it did not consider reporting for those years to be complete. The most recent year with data deemed complete was 2011, and the number was 690 with four-wheelers accounted for most: 669. In that year, 13% (81) involved youth under 16 years old.

The running tally of ATV-linked deaths since CPSC began counting was 13,617 deaths from 1982 to 2014. About a quarter of that figure (23%) involved youth under 16: 3,098.

The report, dated November, is at 1.usa.gov/1JTxpXF.