ATV Safety Continues to Be Concern in PA Following Deadly Holiday Weekend Crashes

JEFFERSON CO., Pa. (EYT) – With three Pennsylvania residents killed in ATV crashes over the Memorial Day weekend, ATV safety continues to be a concern in our state.

Over the holiday weekend, two men were killed in a crash in Warren County after their ATV struck a deer, while a third was killed in an ATV crash in Luzerne County.

This is just a glimpse of the fatal ATV crashes that occur each year in the state of Pennsylvania.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Pennsylvania is second on the list with the most ATV crashes in the nation, only tailing Texas.

The 2017 Annual Report of ATV-Related Deaths and Injuries released by the CPSC indicates that as of December 31, 2017, CPSC staff received reports of 295 deaths in 2017, and between 1982 and 2017, 15,250 ATV-related fatalities occurred.

ATV-related deaths in Pennsylvania account for 761 of those total deaths, topped only by Texas, where 831 people have been killed in ATV-related incidents. Pennsylvania reported 59 ATV-related deaths just between the years of 2015 and 2017, and the commission is still receiving additional reports.

In addition to the Memorial Day Weekend crash in Warren County, the following are reports of local and regional ATV crashes since 2013:

– In July of 2013, a 39-year-old Corsica man was killed in an ATV accident.

– In August of 2013, a Parker teen was killed in a crash in Butler County.

– In May of 2014, an Eau Claire man died after a crash in Butler County.

– In September of 2014, a 28-year-old St. Petersburg man was killed in an ATV crash in Clarion County.

– In July of 2015, a Harrisville man was killed in a crash in Venango County.

– In November of 2015, a Grand Valley teen was killed in a crash in Warren County.

– In April of 2019, a Jackson Center man was killed in a crash in Mercer County.

Considering the popularity of ATVs in our region and the crash risks associated, first responders are often familiar with crash scenes.

Randall Reynolds, Second Assistant Chief for Limestone Township Volunteer Fire Company, told exploreJeffersonpa.com, “We have a handful of them, but we don’t have an abundance.

“There is always that concern (of severe injury) because you’re certainly not as well protected as you are in a car. We also know there’s a good chance it could be a young person operating the vehicle. All of us who have families are usually concerned it could be someone young or even someone we know.”

Chief of Sigel Volunteer Fire Department Dave Smith emphasized, “We request air medical transport on standby because nine out of ten times, a person will need to get to a trauma center quickly. In just about every one of the ATV crashes I’ve seen, we’ve had to fly at least one person out.”

Despite their experiences in responding to ATV crashes, Reynolds said many of the first responders still choose to have one themselves.

“Most of our firemen at Limestone own an ATV of some kind,” Reynolds noted. “It doesn’t make us more wary of them, just more aware of the dangers, which I hope translates into operating them more safely.”

Smith concurred that many first responders in their counties also owns an ATV or UTV, noting that his department even has a UTV they utilize at times.

“Common sense plays a big factor in what happens,” Smith said. “It seems like in typical ATV accidents, there’s usually a pretty high likelihood of alcohol consumption being involved. A lot of times, people also just need to slow down and pay attention to what they’re doing.

“You don’t have to be careless to enjoy riding ATVs.”

For operator and passenger safety, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation of Natural Resources (DCNR) offers the following tips for ATV operation:

  • Wear a helmet and eye protection at all times and other protective clothing suitable to the environment. It is illegal to operate an ATV without a securely fastened helmet on the head of the operator.
  • Do not carry passengers on your ATV.
  • Do not let young or inexperienced riders operate ATVs without training and supervision.
  • Do not use alcohol or other drugs when you ride.
  • Learn proper riding skills from an instructor or qualified rider and practice such skills before riding.
  • Always maintain a safe distance between riders. Tailgating can lead to collisions and injuries.
  • Ride with others and let someone know where you are riding. Never ride alone.
  • Obey the laws.
  • Stay on trails designated for ATVs.
  • Be informed of local weather conditions and dress and equip yourself appropriately.
  • Know the area you are riding in.
  • Be aware of its potential hazards.
  • Always ride at a safe and responsible speed. Know your abilities and don’t exceed those levels.
  • Make sure your equipment is in top working order; check before heading out.
  • Carry a map of the trail or area you intend to travel.
  • Use common sense.

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