Keep ATV safety top of mind this long weekend

EDMONTON – Ahead of the long weekend, Alberta Health Services (AHS) reminds Albertans to make all-terrain vehicle (ATV) safety a priority.

Between 2015 and 2022, Alberta reported nearly 9,500 ATV-related emergency department and urgent care centre visits.

Here are the safety precautions everyone who can legally be using an ATV should practice:

• Wear a proper-fitting, safety-approved helmet when operating an ATV. In addition to a helmet, wear a jacket, long pants, goggles, boots and gloves.
• Learn or refresh your ability to use controls, ride terrain, turn and climb hills by taking an ATV operator course.
• Don’t use alcohol or other drugs before or while riding.
• Ensure your ATV is in good working condition (e.g. brakes, safety equipment) and equipped with an appropriate headlamp.
• Avoid using three-wheeled ATVs.
• Don’t be a passenger or carry a passenger on a single-person ATV.
• Be aware of hazards around you and ride during daylight hours.
• Follow posted signs, stay on the trails, and be aware of the weather and trail conditions.
• Take a cellphone or working two-way radio with you, as well as a first-aid kit. Let people know where you’re going and when you expect to be back.

Visit MyHealth.Alberta.ca for more information on ATV safety and injury prevention.

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Our mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow.