A 21-year history of all-terrain vehicle injuries: has anything changed?

BACKGROUND

All-terrain vehicle (ATV)-related injuries have increased. The purpose of this study was to determine if the increase in injuries correlates with the expiration of government mandates.

METHODS

ATV-injured patients admitted to a level I trauma center were reviewed over the years 1985-1999 and 2000-2005. Several demographic variables and injuries sustained were analyzed.

RESULTS

There were a total of 433 injuries, which increased from 164 between 1985 and 1999, to 269 between 2000 and 2005. By comparing the time periods we observed a decrease in closed-head injury (53.6% vs 27.5%; P < .001), spinal cord injury (11.6% vs 5.2%; P < .05), and soft-tissue injury (62.8% vs 45.3%; P < .01), but an increase in long-bone fractures (18.9% vs 33.0%; P < .05). No differences were observed in other injuries.

CONCLUSIONS

The number of patients sustaining ATV-related injuries has increased and correlates with the expiration of government mandates. Even though ATVs remain dangerous, injury prevention strategies such as helmet laws may be having a positive impact.