ATV and UTVs have become more popular over the years as more roadways become legal to drive on. However, to enjoy this recreational activity, you also need to be safe. So far this year, there have been 11 fatalities due to ATV/UTV crashes. Last year at this time there were only 6.
WI DNR Recreation Warden Nick Webster says while there can be a wide array of causes, one of the top leading causes is alcohol consumption.
“We’re seeing a lot of fatalities occurring on the roadways due to some form of illegal operation,” Webster says. “It’s split in half between the roads and the public trails where most are happening.”
He added that they don’t see too many accidents between an ATV or UTV and motor vehicle. However when they do, he says it is generally the ATV or UTV operator that is at fault. Along with alcohol consumption, one of the other biggest factors year to year is excessive speed and careless operation.
“Last year our wardens made roughly 190 arrests for operating under the influence of an ATV or UTV,” says Webster. “That’s up quite a bit from the past few years when we were closer to 135.”
Webster says that in 2022 there were 21 fatalities. Of those 21 fatalities, eighteen of them had alcohol on board or an intoxicated person driving. Additionally, of those 21 fatalities, fifteen were of people ages 50 and over. Five of the fatalities were in an age range where they were required to have ATV safety (anyone born after January 1, 1988).
“The opportunities to operate ATVs and UTVs has increased dramatically,” Webster adds. “2012 was the first year UTVs were registered in the state. At that time we had roughly five thousand miles of road routes. Fast forward ten years later, we now have roughly 50 thousand miles of road routes in the state.”
You can find safety tips here.
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