March 2010 was proclaimed as Off-Highway Vehicle Safety Awareness Month by Flagstaff Mayor Sara Presler. The proclamation is part of an effort to bring awareness about the dangers involved in riding off-highway vehicles and the need for safety measures. Each year, more than 400,000 unintentional injuries occur in Arizona as a result of recreational off-highway vehicles including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), motorcycles, sandrails, etc.

“It is important people realize off-highway vehicles and especially ATVs are not toys, they are powerful vehicles,” said Shawn Bowker, R.N., Injury Prevention Coordinator for FMC Trauma Services. “These vehicles weigh thousands of pounds and can go as fast as an automobile, but they do not provide any protection such as doors and metal frames. Unfortunately, many people ride them without wearing any protective gear and the results of an accident can result in a wide range of injuries and in some cases, death.”     

As the only state-designated Level I Trauma Center north of Phoenix, Flagstaff Medical Center cares for a large number of patients who have been injured while driving or riding off-highway vehicles. In an 18-month period, close to 150 patients ranging in age from 18 months to late 60-plus year olds, received trauma and emergency care as a result of unintentional injuries sustained while riding an ATV, this number does not include injuries from other off-highway vehicles.

Information on off-highway vehicle safety can be found by visiting the Arizona Game and Fish Department Web site at azgfd.gov/ohv.