All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Knowledge and Behaviors Among 4-H’ers

Youth in rural areas are exposed to all-terrain vehicles, but little is known about their knowledge of all-terrain vehicle safety and their likelihood to apply such knowledge. The purpose of this needs assessment was to determine what rural 4-H youth in Georgia knew about all-terrain vehicle safety and operating procedures. A total of 287 rural 4-H youth in fourth through sixth grade completed a previously validated all-terrain vehicle safety knowledge and behavior test administered during a regularly scheduled afterschool club meeting. Only 13.6% ( n = 39) of respondents passed the safety test, while 13.9% ( n = 15)of those who had taken an all-terrain vehicle safety course ( n = 108) passed. Of youth who passed the test, 36% had at least three years of riding experience. Participation in an all-terrain vehicle safety course could save a child’s life. Still, this study revealed that retention of safety information from these courses is limited, and riding experience does not necessarily imply adequate safety knowledge. Youth development professionals should consider partnering with local all-terrain vehicle dealerships to provide hands-on safety training experiences on properly equipped machines where youth can demonstrate their safety knowledge and behaviors and be evaluated by trained adult