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It may come as a surprise to people who live in the city, but Canada is the biggest market per capita for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in the world. According to the Canada Safety Council, about 2.5 million Canadians ride ATVs and about 850,000 of us own one-a significant number considering that ATVs have only really been around since the early 1970s.

But along with their increase in popularity has come a dramatic rise in the number of ATV-related injuries and hospitalizations. In fact, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, ATV-related hospitalizations increased by almost 50% between 1996 and 2001.

Kids and teens at greatest risk of ATV injury

More than a third of the injuries were suffered by children between the ages of five and 19—the third most common cause of serious injury in the sports and recreational category, after cycling and snowmobiling.

"For young Canadians, this is an alarming injury trend," says Dr. Robert Conn, president and CEO of the Canadian Health Network's Injury Prevention Affiliate, SMARTRISK, a national non-profit injury-prevention organization. "The emerging issue is the use of these machines by young people, who are under-equipped, psychologically and physically, to operate the machinery that's being provided to them by their parents."

Understand the dangers

One of the big concerns around ATVs is that minimum age restrictions are fairly lightly legislated across the country-ranging from no restrictions in British Columbia, to age 12 and over on public property in Ontario, 14 and older in Newfoundland and Labrador and age 16 in the Yukon. "The injury risks to children riding these vehicles are just too high," writes Dr. Natalie Yanchar, medical director of Trauma Care at IWK Health Centre in Halifax, in a recent issue of Injury Prevention. "Strict policy to reflect a change in mindset to prevent injuries and unnecessary use of health-care resources among children and youth must be developed and acknowledged by the public, industry, and legislative bodies."

While there are mandatory helmet-use regulations in effect in almost every province and territory, children and teenagers are among the most likely to ignore them. In addition, ATVs offer far less protection for the driver than most other vehicles: there are no frames, seatbelts or airbags to cushion any blows.

And younger riders are more likely to disregard manufacturers' recommendations against riding double or using the vehicle on public roads. Nor do the youngest riders possess the same experience—and therefore the ability to respond quickly and properly—as those with driver's licences. "The dangers are of rollover, crashing into another vehicle or a fixed obstacle," says Dr. Conn. "The other is simply just getting flipped off the machine owing to speed, cornering manoeuvres or on rough terrain."

Reduce the risk

Everyone driving ATVs should follow some basic safety rules:

• Buckle up. Most ATVs don't include seatbelts, but you can buckle up the chin strap on your helmet and the straps on your gloves.



• Look first. Be aware of what kind of terrain you're going to be on and know where you're going. "If you're leaving for an outing for a day or overnight," says Dr. Conn, "your plans should be left with a responsible other person." Take a cell phone. Be prepared.



• Wear the gear. Beyond helmets, which are mandatory essentially everywhere, consider wrist and eye protection. If you're driving an ATV in winter, wear proper snow gear.



• Get trained. ATV riders of every age should take certification or training from a club or manufacturer, says Dr.Conn. "You can't overstate the need for training, especially for young people," he adds. The Canada Safety Council offers an ATV Riders course—and a separate one for those under the age of 14. The Canadian All-Terrain Vehicle Distributors Council, launched an ATV safety program in January 2005. They offer a tip book for recreational ATV users as well as a CD, How to Ride Like a Pro. Many ATV Clubs also offer training—check for a club in your area!



• Drive sober. That doesn't just mean not using alcohol or other substances-though alcohol is implicated in a significant percentage of ATV-related injuries. Rather, it means driving aware. "Leave safe distances between yourself and other equipment," says Dr Conn. "Operate your machine with respect for other people, for the environment and for yourself."