To the Editor:
The Alberta Centre for Injury Control and Research has published statistics for all terrain vehicle (ATV) injuries in Alberta.
During the eight-year period between 2002 and 2009, 113 ATV related fatalities were recorded in Alberta. Of these, 49 per cent were the result of rollovers. The second leading cause of death was the result of striking an object, usually a tree.
In 2008 alone, there were 781 ATV related hospital admissions in Alberta. That averaged more than 15 admissions per week throughout the entire year. During that same year, 5,834 ATV emergency room visits were recorded in Alberta. The average in this case is 112 ER visits per week in Alberta as a result of ATV related injuries.
These figures are likely underestimates, in that some related events are likely not captured by the statistics. The numbers have increased since 2008 and we're on our way to another banner year in 2012.
A terrible human toll is reflected in these figures. Death and crippling injury are frequently part and parcel of recreational ATV use along with guilt, regret and self-recrimination. I've seen it all, close up, and I've seen enough to last me a lifetime.
There is an economic toll to be paid as well,s reflected by lost income from time off work and health care dollars spent treating these injuries.
The simple fact of the matter is that the vast majority of this ATV carnage results from recreational misuse of these machines. ATVs are indeed potentially lethal and certainly always dangerous. They are, however, most certainly not toys in any sense of the word.
The numbers speak for themselves.
Mitch Lavoie
Ratepayer, County of St. Paul
