The effect of law and training on all-terrain vehicle riders' safety-related behaviors
Abstract
There has been widespread concern over the safety of All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV). The disproportionate risk of death and injury associated with the ATVs prompted the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) law suit against the ATV manufacturers. The CPSC human factors analyses, indicated that much of the safety problem could be associated with either the unique nature of the vehicle or the unsafe behavior of the operator. This study sought to determine the affect of mandatory helmet use laws on the safety-related behavior of the riders. Based on a review of the relevant literature, it was hypothesized that a mandatory helmet use law would increase helmet use; formal rider training would not effect helmet use; and that the rider's propensity for risk taking would increase helmet use. A survey, consisting of field observation of helmet use and other behaviors followed by an interview of the observed rider, was conducted during the summer months of 1988 and 1989. A total of 269 surveys were completed both in areas with and without mandatory helmet use laws. The results showed that the odds of helmet use increased by a factor of 15.2 when helmet use was mandatory. Training also had a significant effect on helmet use, increasing the odds by a factor of 4.3. Risk taking, as measure by the survey self reports, did not significantly increase helmet use. However, the observations did give some subjective support to risk compensation, e.g., riders observed traveling at high speeds may have compensated for that risk by wearing helmets. It was concluded that the means to significantly increase the safety of ATV use do exist. Mandatory helmet use laws and formal training, combined with designated riding areas, appear to promote near universal helmet use. What is missing is the commitment by policy makers to establish the proper riding environment. This is not an easy task, and it may face strong opposition in some quarters. Together, law and training can serve as the cornerstone in the design of a safe environment for all-terrain vehicle riders.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Lehto, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Public health|Sports medicine
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