A 21-year history of all-terrain vehicle injuries: has anything changed?
BACKGROUND
All-terrain vehicle (ATV)-related injuries have increased. The purpose of this study was to determine if the increase in injuries correlates with the expiration of government mandates.


METHODS
ATV-injured patients admitted to a level I trauma center were reviewed over the years 1985-1999 and 2000-2005. Several demographic variables and injuries sustained were analyzed.


RESULTS
There were a total of 433 injuries, which increased from 164 between 1985 and 1999, to 269 between 2000 and 2005. By comparing the time periods we observed a decrease in closed-head injury (53.6% vs 27.5%; P < .001), spinal cord injury (11.6% vs 5.2%; P < .05), and soft-tissue injury (62.8% vs 45.3%; P < .01), but an increase in long-bone fractures (18.9% vs 33.0%; P < .05). No differences were observed in other injuries.


CONCLUSIONS
The number of patients sustaining ATV-related injuries has increased and correlates with the expiration of government mandates. Even though ATVs remain dangerous, injury prevention strategies such as helmet laws may be having a positive impact.
Bansal
Vishal
V
Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma, Burns and Critical Care, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA.
Fortlage
Dale
D
Lee
Jeanne
J
Kuncir
Eric
E
Potenza
Bruce
B
Coimbra
Raul
R
D000059:Accidents / Q000639:trends*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015541:Off-Road Motor Vehicles / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology