What Are the Dangers of ATV Motocross Racing?

The dangers of ATV motocross racing are similar to other extreme sports involving high speeds and heavy equipment. Experience is needed to know what you can and cannot do. Unfortunately, there are no federal safety regulations for ATV racing. However, various states have passed laws regulating ATV safety that take into consideration the local region. However, even if local regulations do not make it mandatory to wear safety helmets or other safety gear, you should still wear them because of the many dangers involved in ATV motocross racing.

  1. Head Injury

    • Head injuries are the most common form of ATV injuries. ATVSafety.gov suggests that drivers purchase a helmet certified by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Snell Memorial Foundation. If your ATV flips or if you are thrown from your ATV, the impact of landing may cause some injury to your head if you are not properly protected. Even if you are wearing a helmet, you may sustain neck injuries from sudden impact.

    Collision

    • Collisions with other ATVs during racing is a danger that is highlighted several times in the rule book for American Motorcyclist Association competitions. During racing, the ATVs can travel at such high speeds that it is easy to lose control and skid into another driver or wall. ATVSafety.gov recommends that drivers always wear protective gear such as helmets, goggles, gloves and boots. Racing on paved roads is especially dangerous as the tires of an ATV are not designed for pavement. Loss of control over pavement leads to collisions with other vehicles traveling the roadways.

    Paralysis

    • Paralysis is a very real danger for ATV drivers. Driving your ATV over dunes and small hills can cause you to lose control of your ATV and injure yourself badly to the point of paralysis. One tragedy involves Tyler Schilhabel from Bakersfield, California. He was only 16 years old when his ATV flipped, landed on top of him and left him paralyzed from the waist down. He had ridden on an ATV just a few times prior to the accident. Schilhabel, who was the quarterback of his high school football team, will never play football again.

    Death

    • Fatalities are very possible if you get into an accident while racing. Even the competition rule book highlights the danger of death from accidents. Children are especially susceptible to death from ATV accidents as they are smaller and more easily injured in the event that an ATV flips or drives over them. Children account for one-third of ATV deaths and injuries needing emergency room care. Further, if a minor child under 16 years old is driving an ATV sized for an adult, he is two times as likely to be injured.