IOWA, USA — Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation earlier this month making Sept. 22-28 ATV (all-terrain vehicles)/UTV (utility terrain vehicles) Safety Week.
The proclamation acknowledges the importance of the safety of farm workers and anyone else using an ATV or UTV, and the increasing issue of the safety is cited.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), off-highway vehicle deaths account for over 700 deaths a year, with youth under the age of 16 accounting for one in four deaths in the first half of 2023.
The governor's proclamation also notes that the state will work alongside agriculture leaders and professionals, RideShare Foundation Powered by BRP, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company to educate and raise awareness of safety hazards and safe operation in an effort to reduce injuries and deaths.
Currently this year in Iowa, there have been 19 ATV/UTV related fatalities, a stark increase from last year's total of 12.
As overall vehicle fatalities compare similarly over the course of the past five years, ATV/UTV fatalities have skyrocketed according to the Iowa Department of Transportation.
Reynolds in 2022 signed a bill into law that allows such vehicles to be driven on roads. In the last five years, the only years with single-digit UTV/ATV fatalities came before this law was enacted.
The law, which requires that off-road vehicles to be registered with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources through county recorders, minimizes restrictions allowing vehicles to be driven on highways and roads if they have operational headlights, tail lights, brake lights horn and a rearview mirror.
Ultimately, it says that the DOT will have final say however.
The law left ATV and UTVs with the potential to be driven on any road besides anything in the state's interstate system.
Other basic requirements
- Operator must be at least 18 years old
- Operator must be licensed
- Operator must carry proof of insurance
- Cannot exceed 35 mph
In acknowledgement of this week, some community school districts are having safety trainings to combat the preventable deaths and those include:
- Martensdale-St Marys (Wed.)
- Winterset (Thurs.)
- Interstate 35 (Fri.)