Faculty Collaboration Database

All-terrain vehicle mortality in Wisconsin: a case study in injury control. Am J Emerg Med 1991 Mar;9(2):149-52

Date

03/01/1991

Pubmed ID

1994943

DOI

10.1016/0735-6757(91)90178-m

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0025872828 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   31 Citations

Abstract

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) have resulted in over 1,400 deaths and 400,000 injuries in the United States since their introduction in the 1970s. Analysis of deaths due to ATVs have been limited to a few states. Death certificates for ATVs were abstracted for the years 1983 through 1989 in Wisconsin. Fifty-two deaths were analyzed; 44 (85%) were male, and 26 (50%) were under age 18. Head injuries accounted for 33 (63%) of the deaths. Thirty-one of the deaths (60%) were "immediate", occurring in "seconds", "minutes", or "immediately". Following the model developed by Haddon, there are several promising injury-control strategies: limiting the use of ATVs to those sixteen or older, increasing visibility of vehicles through means such as flags, increasing helmet usage, and improving emergency medical systems services. Many of these strategies are best promoted through statewide legislative policy changes. This injury study model of ATV deaths suggest that a more balanced approach towards injury reduction should have an equal emphasis on improving injury prevention and acute care.

Author List

Hargarten SW

Author

Stephen W. Hargarten MD, MPH Professor in the Emergency Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Accidents, Traffic
Adolescent
Adult
Age Factors
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Cause of Death
Child
Child, Preschool
Death Certificates
Emergency Medical Services
Female
Head Protective Devices
Health Policy
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Off-Road Motor Vehicles
Risk Factors
Sex Factors
Time Factors
Wisconsin