State statistics show that from January to August 2006 there were 17 reported ATV deaths in the state of Oklahoma, all ranging from ages 6-70 years. None of these riders were wearing a helmet. There was also a still birth from a woman who died in an accident however that death was not included in the total count. These numbers account for only those accidents that are reported to officials. Not all ATV deaths are reported to the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

The statistics listed above are for the entire state.

At a more local level, in November 2005, 15-year-old Zachary Kincaid was hospitalized after he lost control of his 1995 Suzuki Quad ATV on a country road east of Hodgen and collided with a fence. A few days later Zach passed away at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa from severe head and internal injuries as a result of that ATV accident.

Cynthia Kincaid, mother of Zachary, stated, " I don't blame the ATV but I do think that they need to be more regulated, because no matter how good your children are at riding one anything can happen. Zach's accident was a freak accident he wasn't speeding and the roads were dry and clear, he just simply lost control. I do think maybe an age limit of 14 and older would be good even though it wouldn't have applied to my son. Helmet laws are also excellent ideas but a helmet wouldn't have saved my son's life. No matter what you do to prevent something like this from happening anytime you put man and machine together anything can go wrong at anytime. Zach was traveling on a rural road so I think it would be helpful if the road laws were stricter. I noticed in the past couple of accidents that involved death passengers were involved and I think it's a lot easier to lose control if you have a passenger."

Kincaid would like everyone to know that Zach was an organ donor and even though this was a horrible loss, five lives have been saved because of him.

According to the Oklahoma Department of Health: State Sen. Bernest Cain introduced The Children’s ATV Safety Act, which would not allow children under the age of 12 to ride on an ATV and would require that all ATV riders under the age of 18 wear a helmet. The bill however was not passed and will be brought up again for legislation.

The bill was prompted by a study published in the May 2005 Journal of the Oklahoma State Medical Association which reviewed ATV-related traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries and deaths in Oklahoma for an 11-year period, from 1992 through 2002. The study found that almost 400 people received a traumatic brain or spinal cord injury, including children as young as 3 years old. Sixty-two persons were killed while riding on ATVs for that time period, and of that number, 38 had a traumatic brain injury. Of those persons, almost half were children under 16 years of age.

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are either three or four wheeled motorized vehicles used in recreational and work related outdoor activities. Most ATVs are used for “off-roading” or riding in natural conditions. Many ATVs can go as fast as 55 MPH and can weigh as heavy as a quarter of a ton. While ATVs serve useful purposes for recreation and doing work on Oklahoma’s farms and ranches, their use by children can result in devastating outcomes.

The most common ATV injuries result from falls from the vehicle, collisions with a stationary object, and rollovers. Persons at highest risk of injury include riders under 16 years old, males, riders of 3-wheelers, inexperienced riders and riders of ATVs with larger engine size.

Statistics from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that the average lifetime cost for each survivor hospitalized with a traumatic brain injury is almost a half million dollars. Injury prevention experts note that wearing helmets while riding ATVs can reduce deaths by 42 percent and non-fatal head injuries by 64 percent. Unfortunately the rise in injuries and deaths keeps growing, especially in children and young people who ride on the ATVs recreationally.

Some say one reason for the rising death and injury rate is that the ATVs are becoming heavier, stronger, and much faster. Since many young people have not handled vehicles of this magnitude, the results can be especially serious. Many government officials are saying that age plays a significant role as a cause of ATV related accidents. While dealers and manufacturers continue to push the limits of power and weight, more and more people are becoming killed and injured on ATVs. Drivers under the age of15 are over two times likely to lose control of their ATVs.

Most ATV deaths result from the vehicle overturning or hitting something. Risk factors can be reduced when riding on ATVs. In many states there is no minimum age for ATV riders, nor are helmet safety laws in place. Many injuries occur without adult supervision, helmets, and on ATVs over 90cc. Often, dealers offer optional instructions and classes on how to ride ATVs.

A representative of Corgill's Yamaha said, "we have literature at the store that tells about a safety course that is in Poteau and the name of the instructor that customers can call to attend a safety class. The average age of customers we deal with are in their 20s to 30s."

A representative from Fat Albert's said, "We tell the customers that if they will go take the safety class that is FREE of charge and only last half a day then they will receive a $100 card for our store. The average age of customers we deal with are 40-60 years of age.

Many people do not take these classes, or the dealers do not give adequate training, however. Some 75 percent of the ATV accidents result in serious damage to the head or spinal cord of the accident victim. Head injuries are a major cause of serious life threatening or lifelong physical problems and ailments. Injury to the spinal cord can result in paralysis of the entire body for life. Some steps can be taken for ATV accident prevention. Young people should wear helmets, ride lighter and slower ATVs, and be monitored by an adult.

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