Study Finds West Virginia has Nation’s Highest ATV Death Rate

A new study says West Virginia has the nation’s highest rate of fatal all-terrain vehicle accidents.

The Charleston Daily Mail reports that the study released Tuesday by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety looked at rider deaths on public roads from 2007 to 2011. In that time, 1,701 riders died in crashes on public roads throughout the nation.

West Virginia ranked third in the number of deaths with 96. However, its death rate of 105 per 10 million people was the country’s highest. Wyoming was a distant second with 70.

State Police Sgt. Michael Baylous says the popularity of outdoor activities in West Virginia may be a reason for the high rate of ATV fatalities.