Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5951-7791

Semester

Summer

Date of Graduation

2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Type

PhD

College

Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design

Department

Agricultural & Extension Education

Committee Chair

Haley Rosson

Committee Member

Aaron Giorgi

Committee Member

Jessica Blythe

Committee Member

Tyler McGaughey

Abstract

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) pose significant injury risks, particularly among youth. These powerful machines are widely used across recreational and rural settings. West Virginia consistently ranks among the top five states for ATV-related deaths and injuries. Safety equipment and requirements are often not followed nor enforced, causing children and adolescents to be the most vulnerable group because they tend to not wear safety equipment such as helmets, ride on roadways, carry passengers, and operate oversized ATVS. This study examined ATV injury patterns from the WVU Medicine Trauma Registry and ATV laws across the five states with the highest reported fatalities. This multidimensional analysis is guided by two frameworks, Haddon’s Matrix (1979) and Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations Theory (2003) to understand the multifaceted issue of youth ATV injuries and the adoption of safety-enhancing policies.

Consisting of two studies, study one utilized a quantitative analysis of WVU Medicine Trauma Registry data (N = 595) to identify injury patterns, helmet use, injury severity, and geographic trends among ATV-injured youth aged 1-21. Through statistical analysis, it was revealed that helmet use was significantly associated with reduced odds of sustaining head injuries and lower overall injury severity scores and GIS mapping demonstrated that most incidents occur close to home and during warmer months.

In study two, a directed content analysis followed by comparative case study was conducted to first individually examine the top five states in the nation with the highest reported ATV injuries and fatalities, Pennsylvania, California, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Florida before cross-case comparisons were made to identify regulatory similarities and differences along with policy gaps. Predefined categories were determined through literature, while allowing for the emergence of additional themes. All five states require helmets for minors, but only some extend that to mandate all riders to wear helmets or restrict passenger use according to manufacturer design. The protective impact of structured safety laws is supported in the literature, however enforcement and policy clarity limits effectiveness. The need for consistent regulation, enforcement, and public education is emphasized through the findings to reduce ATV-related injuries and fatalities.

Together, these studies demonstrate that ATV safety should be a multifaceted approach that includes behavioral interventions, policy reform, and targeted education. Rogers (2003) provides a model for improving diffusion through change agents, opinion leaders, and target audiences, while Haddon’s Matrix (1979) highlights the prevention points across all phases of injury. To promote safety among riders and reduce ATV-related injuries, the findings provide practical recommendations for policymakers, educators, and public health professionals.

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