Retrospective review of all-terrain vehicle accidents in Alberta

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Surgery Vol. 55; no. 4; pp. 249 - 253
• Main Authors: Pelletier, Jean-Sebastien, MD, McKee, Jessica, BA, MA, Ozegovic, Dejan, MSc, Widder, Sandy, MD, MHA
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French; English
• Published: Canada CMA Impact, Inc 01.08.2012; Canadian Medical Association
• Subjects: Accident Prevention - methods; Accidents, Traffic - mortality; Accidents, Traffic - statistics & numerical data; Adult; Alberta; All terrain vehicles; Craniocerebral Trauma - epidemiology; Craniocerebral Trauma - etiology; Female; Glasgow Coma Scale; Head Protective Devices - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Incidence; Injury Severity Score; Male; Middle Aged; Multiple Trauma - epidemiology; Multiple Trauma - etiology; Needs Assessment; Off-Road Motor Vehicles - legislation & jurisprudence; Off-Road Motor Vehicles - statistics & numerical data; Registries; Retrospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Studies; Surgery; Survival Rate; Traffic accidents & safety; Young Adult; Alberta; Alberta Canada
• ISSN: 0008-428X; 1488-2310
• DOI: 10.1503/cjs.036210

Background All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are frequently associated with injuries and deaths. In spite of this, very few guidelines, let alone legal restrictions, exist to guide users of these machines. Methods We conducted a standardized review of prospectively collected data from the Alberta Trauma Registry. All patients who were involved in ATV-related traumas from 2003 to 2008 with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) greater than 12 were included. The variables studied were age, sex, type of vehicle, purpose of use, person injured (driver or passenger), ISS, distribution of injuries, length of hospital stay, helmet use and death. Results We evaluated 435 patients with ATV-related injuries and ISS greater than 12. The average ISS was 22.8, with an overall mortality of 4.6%; 55% of patients were not wearing helmets, and most of the deaths (85%) occurred among these individuals. Helmet use was associated with a lower risk of mechanical ventilation and of injury to the head and/or cervical spine. Children accounted for 18.9% of all patients and 15% of deaths; 57% of them were wearing helmets at the time of their accidents. Conclusion All-terrain vehicle use in Alberta carries a significant risk of injury and death, and there is an association between death and lack of helmet use. A minimum age for ATV use of at least 16 years and a legal requirement for helmet use may increase public awareness of these risks and decrease morbidity and mortality.