Statewide Iowa – Seven people have died on ATVs and UTVs in Iowa so far this year, with dozens hurt, prompting a healthcare professional to offer some safety reminders about the powerful machines. Megan Anderson is a trauma injury prevention coordinator who says the vehicles can be unstable on pavement or concrete, as they’re designed primarily for off-road use.
A University of Iowa study finds the state’s averaging more than 200 ATV and UTV crashes every year, with a total of 20 deaths in Iowa last year. Anderson says it’s especially tragic when children are killed.
Utility terrain vehicles are rapidly gaining in popularity in Iowa. The DNR says there were about 39-thousand UTVs registered in the state in 2022, while last year, that number rocketed above 57-thousand, an increase of almost 50-percent. Anderson says the machines can be a lot of fun, but they can also become dangerous if they’re overloaded.
The Iowa DNR offers what it calls the Off-highway Vehicle Reference Guide, available free online, along with an online safety course. Riders between 12 and 17 are required to complete an ATV safety course and carry their certificate with them while riding on public land. For more information, visit iowadnr.gov.
