Recently, the Tennessean had an article about a surge in ATV accidents. According to the Tennessean, Vanderbilt University Medical Center has seen almost 50 ATV accidents this year. The alarm stems from the fact that it is not true summer season yet, and summer has an increase in these types of activities.
Tennessee ATV Injury Prevention
Many of the common causes of ATV accidents are the same as the causes of car accidents. One of the most common causes of ATV accidents are teens who have less experience operating motor vehicles. In fact, according to the article, one-third of all deaths and injuries treated at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Emergency Room are teenagers. This is no different than when young people cause auto accidents just through inexperience. In addition, wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by almost 85%. It’s always good practice to use all safety devices whether you’re in a car or on an ATV to help prevent injuries. Last, intoxication is a leading cause of ATV accidents according to the Tennessean article. Intoxication is also a cause of car and truck wrecks. The lesson here is ATVs are a ton of fun on a summer day, but and if you operate them in a safe and smart manner you’ll likely stay out a hospital emergency room.