ILLINOIS TEEN KILLED IN ATV ACCIDENT
An 18-year-old man died Sunday from injuries he sustained in an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) crash in southern Illinois. The Collinsville man was riding an ATV in rural Williamson County when the vehicle apparently hit a tree. He was airlifted to a hospital in Evansville, Indiana where he was later pronounced dead.
In 2003, there were an estimated 740 deaths associated with ATVs, including 140 reported deaths that involved children. In 2004, an estimated 136,000 ATV-related injuries were treated in hospital emergency rooms. In Illinois, 11 people were killed in ATV crashes in 2006. More than half of those killed were under the age of 18. More than 1,600 people were injured in ATV accidents in Illinois in 2006. More than one-third of those injured were under the age of 20. According to the U.S. Consumer Safety Product Commission, 92% of all ATV related fatalities are the result of warned-against behaviors, such as not wearing a helmet, riding on public roads, youth riding unsupervised and carrying a passenger on a single-rider ATV.
Like other activities involving high speeds and heavy machinery, riding an ATV can be dangerous. To stay safe, keep these tips in mind:
* Get trained. Formal training teaches drivers how to control ATVs in typical situations. Click here to find out where you can take an ATV driving course.
* Wear a helmet. As with motorcycle and bicycle riding, helmets are KEY to preventing fatal injuries. Wearing a helmet may reduce the severity of head injuries. In addition, wear over-the-ankle boots, goggles, gloves, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt to protect against cuts, abrasions, and other injuries from rocks, trees, and other debris.
* Do not permit children to drive or ride adult ATVS. Children are involved in about 1/3 of all ATV-related deaths and hospital emergency room injuries. The majority of these deaths and injuries occur when a child is driving or riding on an adult ATV. Children under 16 on adults ATVs are twice as likely to be injured as those riding youth ATVs.
* Do not drive ATVs with a passenger or ride as a passenger.
* Don't ride on pavement and avoid unfamiliar terrain.
* Don't ride under the influence. Alcohol and drugs impair reaction time and judgment, two essential skills for safe ATV use.
Remember, ATVs are not toys! They are powerful and potentially dangerous vehicles that can travel at speeds in excess of 60 miles an hour and can weigh more than 700 pounds. Keep safety first and foremost in your mind when you are riding an ATV. Many of the deaths and injuries that result from ATV accidents are preventable. Ride safely.
