ATV Helmet Use Among Teens Needs to Improve

Riding all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) remains popular among U.S. youth (ages 12-17), according to a 2014 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study.

In 2011, an estimated 25 percent of youth reported that they had ridden an ATV at least once during the previous year. The proportion of rural youth who reported riding an ATV was double that of urban youth. Among riders, males tended to ride more often than females.

Only 45 percent of riders always wore a helmet, and 25 percent never wore a helmet.

Youth who most frequently rode ATVs had the lowest consistent helmet use; 80 percent of youth who reported that they had ridden an ATV six or more times in the previous year did not always wear a helmet.

Source: CDC