What influences youth to operate All-Terrain Vehicles safely? A mixed methods study of youth and their parents

Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death in children ages 18 and younger in the United States, accounting for more deaths than the next 20 causes of mortality combined. Youth living in rural or agricultural areas comprise an important injury-risk group due to the hazardous nature of agriculture life. While most research to date has focused on work-related agricultural injuries, more than half of all pediatric agriculture-related injuries occur during recreational activities. Operating All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) is one common and hazardous activity, with more than 40,000 youth hospitalized each year from ATV injuries. Certain safety behaviors can significantly reduce the risk of serious injury or death, such as wearing a helmet, driving at appropriate speeds, and driving on appropriate terrain. This mixed-method study explores factors that influence the degree to which youth practice these safety behaviors. 248 youth (ages 9-14) from central Ohio who currently operate ATVs and one of their parents completed self-report measures. Multiple regression analyses revealed that the strongest predictors of youth safety behaviors were parental monitoring, parent safety-promoting behaviors (e.g. supervision), household income, and youth self-efficacy. Qualitative focus groups with youth and their parents revealed potential ways these factors might influence youth safety behavior on ATVs. Findings have implications for preventing injuries among youth who operate ATVs, and in children more generally.