If your Victoria Day long weekend plans include a rip on an ATV or off-road vehicle (ORV), the London Health Sciences Centre has some advice to keep you rolling and out of the emergency room.
According to the hospital network, the May long weekend, often seen as the unofficial start of the summer, comes with an increase in trauma cases that lasts until the fall. Of particular concern for hospital officials are ATV or ORV-related injuries.
"Since 2017, injuries related to ORVs have increased from 61 in 2017 to 100 in 2021,” said Kaitlyn Jacobs, injury prevention specialist at the LHSC. “When looking specifically at ATV-related injuries, there has been a noticeable increase. Of all ORV-related injuries, 45 per cent of patients experienced a major trauma.”
Those 17 and under made up the highest percentage of ATV-related traumas that came into the hospital over the past five years. In an effort to cut down on the number of kids getting hurt on these machines, the LHSC recommends ATV drivers travelling the roads be at least 16-years-old with a valid license, wear a seatbelt, and follow all rules of the road. Anyone planning to go off-roading should be at least 12 unless being supervised by an adult.
The LHSC further advises all passengers on-road should be at least 8-years-old, that all ATVs and ORVs be inspected before being driven, and that drivers be sober.
“We recognize that some ATVs or ORVs are used for transportation or work, not just recreation,” said Jacobs. “Our goal is not to stop anyone from using an ATV, but to encourage those who do, to be as safe as possible while riding.”
The Ministry of Transportation offers ATV education and training programs through its website.
“Nobody climbs aboard an ATV expecting to get injured; ATV-related injuries can happen very quickly and very suddenly," said Canadian Safety Council National Projects Manager Lewis Smith. "When faced with a difficult situation, it is not enough to know how to operate the vehicle — you must know how to operate it safely. This is why off-road safety training programs are important, useful, and potentially lifesaving.”
