Field data analysis of recreational off-highway vehicle crashes.

Objective: Recreational off-highway vehicle (ROHV) crashes are of concern because sales of these vehicles have been growing rapidly and because newer vehicles tend to have significantly greater performance than older models. We evaluated the available data to understand trends in ROHV crashes and the factors that contributed to serious injury.

Methods: We combined information from (1) the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), (2) a database compiled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and (3) a vehicle sales database. These aggregated data were used to describe trends, demographics, and frequent causes of serious injuries and fatalities.

Results: On-road fatal crashes grew from 0 in the year 2000 to 37 in 2015; at the same time, sales grew from approximately 100,000 to 400,000 vehicles annually. Much of the increase in ROHV sales was in 2 new, higher performance classes of vehicles. Further, seat belt and helmet use in this cohort was rare (at least 46% unbelted, only 2% confirmed to be helmeted) and drinking and driving was common (57% of crashes in FARS). These vehicles appear to have increased potential for rollover, which often led unbelted occupants to be ejected, putting them at risk of being injured as the vehicle rolled on top of them.

Conclusions: Serious ROHV crashes have grown with sales. Resulting injuries appear to be strongly influenced by inconsistent seat belt use, frequent drunk driving, and increased propensity for the vehicles to roll over.