Citation

Rattan R, Joseph DK, Dente CJ, Klein EN, Kimbrough MK, Nguyen J, Simmons JD, O'Keeffe T, Crandall M. J. Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2018; 84(6): 1017-1026.

Affiliation

University of Miami Miller School of Medicine New York University Winthrop Emory University School of Medicine Hofstra University Zucker School of Medicine University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Morehouse School of Medicine University of South Alabama School of Medicine University of Arizona University of Florida College of Medicine Jacksonville.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/TA.0000000000001828

PMID

29389840

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Despite the increasing usage since their introduction, there exist no evidence-based guidelines on all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and injury prevention. While the power and speed of these vehicles has increased over time, advancements in ATV safety have been rare.

METHODS: A priori questions about ATV injury pattern and the effect of helmet and safety equipment use and legislation mandating use were developed. A query of MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase for all-terrain vehicle injury was performed. Letters to the editor, case reports, book chapters, and review articles were excluded. GRADE methodology was used to perform a systematic review and create recommendations.

RESULTS: Twenty-eight studies were included. Helmet use reduced traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, studies examining whether legislation mandating helmet use reduced TBI had mixed results. When ATV safety legislation was enforced, overall injury rates and mortality decreased. However, enforcement varied widely and lack of enforcement led to decreased compliance with legislation and mixed results. There was not enough evidence to determine the effectiveness of non-helmet protective equipment.

CONCLUSION: Helmet use when riding an ATV reduced the rate of TBI. ATV safety legislation, when enforced, also reduced morbidity and mortality. Compliance with laws is often low, however, possibly due to poor enforcement. We recommend helmet use when riding on an ATV to reduce TBI. We conditionally recommend implementing ATV safety legislation as a means to reduce ATV injuries, noting that enforcement must go hand-in-hand with enactment to ensure compliance. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Systematic review/guideline, Level III.

Language: en