27 died in fatal ATV/UTV accidents in Wisconsin already this year, 5 within the last four weeks

TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is calling for a special focus on ATV/UTV safety in the wake of a recent rapid increase in fatal ATV/UTV accidents this year. Already (as of Sept. 5, 2024) 27 people have died in fatal ATV/UTV accidents in 2024, with the victims ranging in age from 4-79 years old, and 5 of those fatalities occurred within the last four weeks.

Safety protocol

A press release from the DNR provides tips and sound advice for helping reduce the chances of injury or death while riding an ATV/UTV. First and foremost, that includes always wearing a helmet on ATVs/UTVs and a seatbelt on UTVs, operating equipment sober, following posted regulatory signs on roadways, and following basic off-road vehicle safety rules.
“Crashes can happen to anyone,” the release said. However, many fatalities can be prevented.
According to the DNR, at least 18 of the ATV/UTV victims this year were not wearing a helmet, and over half of the UTV victims were not wearing a seatbelt.
Anyone under the age of 18 is required by law to wear a helmet on an ATV or UTV, whether they’re driving the machine or riding as a passenger, and all passengers, regardless of age, must wear a seatbelt when riding in a UTV, the press release said. ATVs/UTVs are required to follow all road signs, including stop signs and posted speed limits, and each machine has a maximum capacity/number of occupants that should not be exceeded. In other words, don’t operate a machine with more than the recommended number of passengers, if passengers are permitted on a specific machine.
Per 2024 fatal crash statistics, more than half of fatal crashes occurred on roadways, including on public roads closed to ATV/UTV traffic, and vehicle occupancy was exceeded in several crashes.

Crash reports are required

In the event of any crash incident involving an ATV or UTV, Wisconsin law requires every operator involved in a crash incident to report the incident without delay to law enforcement officials. In addition, within 10 days of the incident, the operator must submit a written report to the DNR.