Summary: Off-road vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility task vehicles (UTVs) are extremely popular and a common source of injury and death in rural areas, especially farms and ranches. While the use of ATVs/UTVs on public roadways increases the likelihood of a crash with another vehicle, the majority of roadway deaths and an even higher proportion of injuries on public roads are single ATV/UTV crashes not involving another motor vehicle.  

ATVs/UTVs are designed for off-road use only, and manufacturers have strongly stated that they should not be operated on public roadways. In fact, the majority of deaths associated with these vehicles occur on public roads. Despite this, an increasing number of states, counties, and municipalities across the country are passing laws allowing ATVs/UTVs to operate on public roadways for transportation and recreational purposes. During this presentation, we will discuss the safety issues surrounding ATVs/UTVs on public roads and, in particular, the design elements of ATVs/UTVs that place their operators at greater risk on public roads. We will discuss how rural families can help protect themselves, their families, and employees from ATV/UTV-related crashes and injury.

Objectives: At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to: 

• List at least three design features of ATVs and UTVs that contribute to crashes and subsequent injury, and be able to discuss how these features make ATVs/UTVs vulnerable to problems on both paved and unpaved roads.
• Identify at least three other factors that contribute to ATV/UTV-related crashes and injuries, and how they might decrease the risk to themselves, their families, and employees. 
• Understand and appreciate ATV/UTV safety messages they might share with others, and how they could be effective advocates for informed safety legislation regarding ATVs/UTVs.

Intended audience: Farmers, ranchers, parents, agriculture production workers, healthcare providers, emergency medical services, public health officials, government and legislative leaders, administrators

The University of Cincinnati, Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, Education and Research Center offers 1.0 contact hour for each webinar during National Farm Safety and Health Week. Upon completing the evaluation, learners will receive a certificate of completion. This course can meet continuing education requirements for a variety of professionals including: BGC criteria for IH/CIH professionals, BCSP criteria for safety professionals, CPH criteria for public health professionals.