@article{ref1,
title="All-terrain vehicles--unstable, unsafe and unregulated. a prospective study of ATV-related trauma in rural Ireland",
journal="Injury",
year="2003",
author="Moroney, P. and Doyle, M. and Mealy, K.",
volume="34",
number="3",
pages="203-205",
abstract="All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are fast, powerful machines that pose a significant threat to public safety. In the USA, ATVs are responsible for 273 deaths and over 68,000 injuries each year. As the incidence of ATV-related accidents in Britain and Ireland is unknown we carried out a prospective audit of all patients presenting to our Accident and Emergency Departments with ATV-related trauma over a 1-year period. Of 32 patients with ATV-associated injuries, 10 were under 16 years of age and 23 had no previous experience of operating an ATV. We documented 24 fractures (2 open) and 1 tension pneumothorax. Helmet usage was high and head injuries were few and not of a serious nature. Two-thirds of injuries occurred on commercial adventure sports courses.Since ATVs are off-road vehicles, they are exempt from safety regulations that apply to other forms of transport. As care-providers to trauma victims, we must make prevention of these injuries a priority and campaign for both voluntary and legislative controls to make ATV use a safer leisure pursuit.",
language="",
issn="0020-1383",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}