Courtesy of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
WISCONSIN – Whether you’re riding to enjoy the fall colors, to get from place to place or as part of your hunting season experience, stay safe on ATVs and UTVs by following safety best practices.
As of Monday, Sept. 13, 31 people in Wisconsin had died in ATV/UTV crashes. Most crash victims were not wearing seat belts or helmets (www.widnr.widen.net/s/symp23b2qh). When riding ATVs and UTVs, wearing a helmet and seat belt, monitoring speed and using caution on hills and uneven terrain could save your life.
Follow these tips for a safe ride:
- Never consume alcohol or drugs before or during your ride.
- Wear a seat belt and a Department of Transportation (DOT)-approved helmet.
- In addition to a seat belt and helmet, wear protective clothing such as eye protection, gloves, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt.
- Keep your speed in check for the terrain, visibility conditions and your experience.
- Remember that some terrain in Wisconsin is too steep for ATV/UTVs. Please be careful while traversing hills or uneven terrain.
- Know before you go. Review all ATV/UTV laws at dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/atv.
Taking an online safety course is one of the best steps towards a safe ride. A list of approved safety education classes is available on the DNR Safety Education webpage at www.dnr.wisconsin.gov/Education/OutdoorSkills/safetyEducation.
ATV and UTV operators born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, who are at least 12 years old for an ATV (and at least 16 years old for UTV) must complete an ATV safety certification course to operate in Wisconsin (exception: on private property owned by operator’s immediate family).
For more information on ATV and UTV recreation in Wisconsin, visit www.dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/atv.