They have  large, low-pressure tires; straddle seats; and handlebars for steering  control. ATVs Have Recreational, Occupational, and Transportation Uses

ATVs are primarily used for recreational purposes; however, ATVs are  used for occupations such as farming; for government functions, such as  policing and patrolling public lands; and for transportation in remote  areas. Although we found little information that quantified the uses of  ATVs and the advantages of their use, a survey of owners conducted by the  Motorcycle Industry Council in 2008—according to Commission staff, the  only recent national survey of ATV owners—indicated that 79 percent use  their ATVs recreationally and that the most common recreational activities  were pleasure riding and trail riding. 7.) 7.) ATV Fatalities and Injuries Have Increased Substantially during the Last Decade When the Number in Use Nearly Tripled

ATV fatalities and injuries have increased substantially since 1999, but not  as rapidly as the number of four-wheeled ATVs in use, which nearly  tripled. In 2007, the most  recent year for which the Commission staff estimated the number of  fatalities, an estimated 816 fatalities occurred, compared with 534 in 1999,  an increase of 53 percent (an average of about 6 percent per year). According to Commission staff estimates, from 1999 through 2005—the  most recent period for which fatality estimates are complete—the risk  decreased from 1.4 deaths per 10,000 four-wheeled ATVs in use to 1.1  deaths per 10,000 ATVs in use, or 21 percent. In 2008, an estimated 134,900 nonfatal ATV-related injuries were treated in  emergency rooms, compared with 81,800 in 1999, an increase of 65  percent. According to the staff, the decrease could have been  influenced by one or more of the following factors: (1) exposure, as  evidenced by the number of people who rode ATVs and the amount of  time that was spent riding, considering that recreational activities often  are reduced in times of recession; (2) the state of the ATV market in  particular (i.e., sales decreased dramatically in 2008, likely because of the  economic recession); (3) legislative and regulatory activities (e.g., the  Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, for example, may have led to  a reduction in the availability of imported and youth-sized ATVs beginning  in late 2008 and in a relative increase in the availability of mechanically  safer vehicles); and (4) information and education activities at both  national and local levels (i.e., increased safety awareness may have led to  increased safety practices while riding ATVs). Although the absolute number of injuries increased from 1999 through  2007, as the number of ATVs in use increased, the estimated risk of an  emergency room-treated injury per 10,000 four-wheeled ATVs in use  decreased from 193 injuries per 10,000 four-wheeled ATVs in use in 1999 to  129.7 injuries in 2008, or 33 percent. However, an industry association official said that crashes  involving children occur mainly when they are riding adult-sized models at  higher speeds without parental supervision. Commission Staff Estimated Economic Costs of ATV Crashes over $22 Billion in 2007

Commission staff estimated that the costs of ATV crashes have doubled in  the last decade. Various Organizations Offer Training and Promote Safe Riding Practices

Safety stakeholders said that the number and severity of ATV injuries  could be reduced through training and by wearing proper equipment such  as helmets. State governments are also involved in promoting ATV safety. Sales of ATVs for use by children are covered by provisions in the  plans under which manufacturers and distributors agree to (1) refrain  from recommending, marketing, or selling adult-sized ATVs for use by  children younger than 16 years old and (2) monitor their dealers to check,  using independent investigators, whether dealers are willing to sell adult- sized ATVs for use by children and take action against dealers who  disregard the standard’s operator age recommendations. Moreover, details about how manufacturers and distributors will use their  “best efforts” to prevent the sale of adult-sized ATVs by their dealers vary  from company to company. Fatalities and injuries involving children have been a significant problem  over the last decade, with children accounting for about one-fifth of  fatalities and one-third of injuries. To identify how ATVs are used and the advantages of their use, we  interviewed industry officials, manufacturers, a dealer, and users, such as  advocacy groups, trail managers, and industry groups and government  agencies that use ATVs at work.
Why GAO Did This Study

All-terrain vehicles (ATV), which are off-road motorized vehicles, usually with four tires, a straddle seat for the operator, and handlebars for steering control, have become increasingly popular. However, ATV fatalities and injuries have increased over the last decade and are a matter of concern to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (Commission), which oversees ATV safety, and to others. Many ATV crashes involving children occur when they are riding adult-sized ATVs. Manufacturers and distributors have agreed to use their best efforts to prevent their dealers from selling adult-sized ATVs for use by children under the age of 16. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act requires GAO to report on (1) how ATVs are used and the advantages of their use and (2) the nature, extent, and costs of ATV crashes. GAO addressed these topics by reviewing ATV use and crash data and by discussing these issues with Commission staff, industry officials, user groups, and safety stakeholders.

What GAO Found

ATVs are mainly used for recreation, but are also used in occupations such as farming and policing. According to a 2008 industry survey of ATV owners, 79 percent use them for recreation and 21 percent use them for work or chores. ATVs are also used as primary transportation in some remote communities, such as in parts of Alaska. GAO found little information that quantified the advantages of ATV use. However, users surveyed in 2008 said that riding provides them with personal enjoyment, allowing them, for example, to view nature and spend time with their families. In addition, trail managers and local business officials in areas of the country where trails have been established, such as West Virginia, said the surrounding communities have benefited economically from spending by ATV riders. Injuries and fatalities increased substantially during the last decade, but not as rapidly as the number of ATVs in use, which nearly tripled. According to Commission staff, an estimated 816 fatalities occurred in 2007-- the agency's most recent annual estimate--compared with 534 in 1999, a 53 percent increase. However, from 1999 through 2005--the most recent period for which fatality estimates are complete--the risk decreased from 1.4 deaths per 10,000 four-wheeled ATVs in use to 1.1 deaths per 10,000 ATVs in use, or 21 percent. Regarding injuries, an estimated 134,900 people were treated in emergency rooms for ATV-related injuries in 2008, compared with about 81,800 in 1999, a 65 percent increase. However, the estimated risk of an emergency room-treated injury per 10,000 four-wheeled ATVs in use decreased from 193 injuries per 10,000 four-wheeled ATVs in use to 129.7 injuries in 2008, or 33 percent. About one-fifth of the deaths and about one-third of the injuries involved children. Crashes involving children frequently occurred when they rode adult-sized ATVs, which are more difficult for them to handle. Manufacturers and distributors have agreed to use their best efforts to prevent their dealers from selling adult-sized ATVs for use by children, but recent GAO undercover checks of selected dealers in four states indicated that 7 of 10 were willing to sell an adult-sized ATV for use by children. Commission staff suspended similar checks in early 2008 because of higher priorities. Commission staff have estimated that the costs of ATV injuries and fatalities more than doubled during the last decade from about $10.7 billion in 1999 to $22.3 billion in 2007 (in 2009 dollars). Safety stakeholders, including industry officials, said that ATV injuries could be reduced through training and wearing proper equipment such as helmets.