Deaths from ATV/UTV crashes on pace to surpass fatalities seen last year

At least 27 people have died in ATV and UTV crashes so far this year, putting the state on track to surpass the 32 deaths reported in 2023.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources noted 18 of the 27 victims weren’t wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, and more than half weren’t wearing a seatbelt. Alcohol was also confirmed as a factor in at least five crashes, and toxicology reports are still pending on 14 investigations. 

DNR Recreational Safety Section Chief April Dombrowski said in a virtual media briefing that the agency will have more wardens conducting patrols this weekend with local law enforcement. It’s part of a public safety campaign aimed at curbing risky behavior and impaired operation of the vehicles.

Dombrowski said they’re urging people to wear helmets and seatbelts. Operators should also avoid alcohol use and use caution on roadways.

“All of these are factors that could have prevented a death-related crash,” Dombrowski said. “Most of our crashes are preventable.”

Dombrowski said 69 percent of crashes so far this year occurred on trail systems and public roadways, including those closed to those recreational vehicles. The agency asked people to observe stop signs, passenger limits and reduce speeds.

The victims in crashes this year ranged from as young as 4 to 79 years of age.
The number of injuries and deaths have been trending upward in recent years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. That comes as the DNR reported 497,029 registrations for ATVs and UTVs in 2023. The use of UTVs has almost doubled in the last five years.

Randy Harden, president of the Wisconsin ATV/UTV Association, said they’re trying to reach a lot of new operators through their more than 120 clubs statewide.

The organization has trail ambassadors that interact with riders about safety protocols and responsible riding, including 17 people who patrolled trails in Oconto County with local law enforcement over the Labor Day weekend.

“Unfortunately, we can’t be everywhere. It’s really alarming to us, too, that we had four fatalities on the same holiday weekend,” Harden said. “We have to get people to prioritize the information that’s out there about safety.”

One of the crashes over the Labor Day holiday involved three kids ranging from 4 to 9 years old riding an ATV that rolled over in the Oneida County town of Pelican, trapping the 4-year-old under the machine. The child later died.

The DNR said at least four deaths this year have involved children and teens under the age of 18.

Paul Hagen has been riding ATVs for around 40 years. He’s the former president of the Hodag 4-Wheelers ATV-UTV Club in Rhinelander.

“Parents are responsible, and they’re just not stepping forward the way they should,” Hagen said. “I’ve seen riding over the years in different places and seen kids riding on the back of ATVs with no helmet on. Every parent — I don’t care if they’re just going to go for a short ride — should have a child with a helmet on it.”

In Wisconsin, ATV operators must be at least 12 years old to ride on public trails and complete an ATV safety certification course if they were born after Jan. 1, 1988. UTV operators must be at least 16 years old with the required safety certification while riding in public areas. The cost for a course is $10 in person and around $35 for online certification. 

During last year’s safety campaign, the DNR contacted nearly 500 ATV/UTV riders. The agency issued 150 warnings for violations and removed eight people who were either intoxicated or using illegal drugs. At least 170 citations were issued to people operating the vehicles while under the influence last year.

“Alcohol has always been an issue,” Hagen said. “Moderation is really important. If you can’t do that, you really don’t belong out on the trails or out on a road driving around.”

Last year, a bipartisan group of state lawmakers introduced a bill to make it illegal to carry open containers of alcohol while driving ATVs and UTVs on trails and public roads. However, the bill failed to advance in the Legislature.

“We couldn’t get them to do it,” Harden said. “It’s the same for snowmobiling and boating. That’s always a concern of ours…but we’re not giving up on that.”

In the meantime, Harden said their association has been trying to advance education on safety and state regulations through the Ride Safe Foundation that promotes the use of helmets and safety certification.

Last year, he said they reached more than 6,600 students in four school systems to educate kids about the importance of wearing safety gear and obtaining certification. Members also put in more than 500,000 hours of work patrolling trails to educate riders.

An economic impact report commissioned by the association estimates ATV/UTV riders supported almost 40,000 jobs and contributed more than $5.4 billion to the state’s economy last year.