Effective fall prevention interventions, and innovative transportation options, are needed to protect the mobility of this high-risk group.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the numbers and rates of all-terrain vehicle (ATV)–related nonfatal injuries among riders aged ≤15 years treated in hospital emergency departments (EDs) in the United States during 2001–2010. METHODS National Electronic Injury Surveillance System–All Injury Program data for 2001–2010 were analyzed. Numbers and rates of injuries were examined by age group, gender, primary body part injured, diagnosis, and hospital admission status. RESULTS During 2001–2010, an estimated 361 161 ATV riders aged ≤15 years were treated in EDs for ATV-related injuries. The injury rate peaked at 67 per 100 000 children in 2004 and then declined to 42 per 100 000 children by 2010. The annualized injury rate for boys was double that of girls (73 vs 37 per 100 000). Children aged 11 to 15 years accounted for two-thirds of all ED visits and hospitalizations. Fractures accounted for 28% of ED visits and 45% of hospitalizations. CONCLUSIONS The reasons for the decline in ATV-related injuries among young riders are not well understood but might be related to the economic recession of the mid-2000s and decreased sales of new ATVs. Although many states have regulations governing children’s use of ATVs, their effectiveness in reducing injuries is unclear. Broader use of known effective safety measures, including prohibiting children aged ≤15 years from riding adult-sized ATVs, always wearing a helmet while riding, not riding on paved roads, and not riding as or carrying a passenger could additionally reduce ATV-related injuries among children. Last, more research to better understand ATV crash dynamics might lead to safer designs for ATVs.

BackgroundNational estimates of all-terrain vehicle (ATV) riding patterns among youth in the USA are lacking.MethodsWe analysed the 2011 YouthStyles survey to estimate the proportion of 12–17 year olds in the USA who had ridden an ATV at least once during the past 12 months and summarise their patterns of helmet use.ResultsOf the 831 youth respondents, an estimated 25% reported riding an ATV at least once during the past year. The proportion of youth living outside of a Metropolitan Statistical Area who reported riding an ATV was twice that of those living inside of a Metropolitan Statistical Area. Males and females reported similar proportions of riding at least once during the past year, but among riders, the proportion of males who rode ≥6 times was triple that of females. Only 45% of riders reported always wearing a helmet, and 25% reported never wearing a helmet. The most frequent riders had the lowest consistent helmet use, with 8 of 10 youth who rode ≥6 times during the past year not always wearing a helmet.ConclusionsATV riding appears to remain popular among youth in the USA, particularly in rural areas, and consistent helmet use while riding is low. A more thorough understanding of gender differences in ATV riding patterns among youth and perceived risks and benefits of both safe and unsafe riding practices might help inform future ATV injury prevention efforts.