Recreational Off-highway Vehicle Exposure, Safety Behaviors and Crash Experiences of Adolescents

Background: Recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs), often called utility task vehicles (UTVs), are designed to be driven by those ≥16 years and manufacturers generally do not recommend passengers being <12 years old. However, many parents ignore these warnings. This study’s objective was to determine Iowa adolescents’ exposure to ROVs, their use of restraint devices, and the crashes they have experienced.

Methods: Adolescents participating in the Safety Tips for ATV Riders (STARs) program in their schools were anonymously surveyed by the Iowa Off-Road Vehicle Safety Task Force from Spring 2011-Spring 2018. Initially, there was just one ROV-related question, but this was later increased to four. Surveys were provided to the study investigators and frequency and chi-square analyses were performed using SAS software, V.9.4.

Results: 4,023 students (9-18 years of age) from 18 school districts participated. Overall, 68% reported having ridden an ROV. Males had slightly higher percentages riding ROVs (70% vs. 67%, p=0.039) and of riding at least weekly (27% vs 20%, p<0.0001). The proportions having ridden an ROV by where one lived was: farm (85%) > country/not farm (73%) > town (60%), p<0.0001. Of those that were asked additional ROV questions (n=2,152), over one-quarter (26%) reported riding an ROV at least weekly in the previous 12 months. Of those riding an ROV in the past year, 29% had at least one crash (rollover, collision or ejection). Males had a higher percentage with crashes in the past year compared to females (33% vs 25%, p=0.004). Those living on farms also had greater proportions with a crash (36%) as compared to those living elsewhere (26%) p=0.003. Nearly two-fifths (39%) of ROV riders never or almost never wore their seatbelt. Seatbelt wearing was inversely associated with age with progressively older youth having lower percentages always or almost always using their seat belt, p<0.001. Females had higher percentages reporting always or almost always wearing a seat belt (42% vs 36%), p=0.0015. Seat belt use was also related to where one lived: never or almost never--farm (48%) > country/not farm (38%) < town (32%), p=0.0005. More frequent riders had greater proportions that never or almost never wore their ROV seatbelt: daily riders (53%) > weekly (41%) > monthly or less (33%), p<0.0001. Those reporting having been in a crash had much higher percentages reporting never or almost never wearing their seat belt (52% vs. 32%), p<0.0001.

Conclusion: Iowa adolescents frequently ride ROVs and often without a seatbelt. This puts them at greater risk for serious injury or death should they have a rollover. Almost 30% of riders had an ROV-related crash in the past year. Our study identified populations at increased risk that could be targeted for safety education and other injury prevention efforts.