Ohio voters attitudes towards public policy regarding the use of all terrain vehicles

Ohio ranks in the top one-third nationally in the number of deaths caused by ATVs. Our objective was to report findings of a statewide telephone survey of registered Ohio voters that assessed voters' attitudes towards possible laws regarding ATV use and safety. Telephone interviews were completed with 838 registered Ohio voters. Results were weighted by region to accurately represent Ohio voters as a whole. The overall margin of error was +/- 3.46% at the 95% confidence interval. A total of 53% of Ohio voters had ridden an ATV or known someone who has. One quarter of Ohio ATV users reported wearing a helmet every time they ride. Despite manufacturer warnings that it is unsafe, three-quarters of ATV users have ridden an ATV with a passenger. More than half of the time, the passenger is under the age of 16. A majority of voters strongly favor three of the six proposed laws regarding ATV use (e.g., prohibiting passengers (64%); requiring helmets (62%); requiring a safety training class (54%)). In addition, 69% of voters indicated that they would be more likely to favor the state passing laws regulating ATV use and safety after they had been informed (during the survey) that there had been a dramatic increase nationally in ATV deaths and that Ohio ranks in the top one-third of all states in the reported number of ATV deaths. Currently, only 26% of ATV users reported always wearing a helmet when they rode. This would increase to 47% if required by law. Four out of five voters supported restrictions on use of ATVs by children <16. Voters believe ATV riders should be required to wear helmets and passengers should be prohibited unless the ATV is specifically designed to carry passengers. Voters agree legislative action is needed to prevent ATV injuries among children.