Off-roading on the farm

ATVs got their start among off-roading enthusiasts, but it wasn’t long before these machines became serious workhorses on farms and ranches. These days, ATVs aren’t just for fun; their compact size, ruggedness, and agility enable them to go where other vehicles can’t go, and to do what they can’t do.

But while ATVs can enable faster and more efficient ag operations, they present particular risks and require skillful handling and operator protection to ensure safe operation. According to a 2024 report from the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), “The dangers of riding off-highway vehicles (OHVs) are real and include overturning, collisions, and occupant ejection.”

The CPSC report showed that OHV accidents cause over 800 deaths and 100,000 trips to the emergency room each year. Accidents involving ATVs — a subset of OHVs — accounted for 92 percent of OHV injuries and two-thirds of deaths. One in three of those injured in ATV accidents is under 16 years of age.

What can ATV riders do to stay safe?

Your first excursion should be to a classroom. There are numerous courses run by ATV manufacturers, as well as by industry groups like the ATV Safety Institute and the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America. Many of these classes are online. Also, the University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital collaborated with a coalition of government entities, healthcare programs, and Grinnell Mutual to put together a downloadable booklet of safety tips especially for young ATV riders. The booklet is packed with statistics and strategies for staying safe when you’ve left the road behind.
Gear up. No matter your age, never settle into an ATV’s saddle without having first donned the right safety equipment. At a minimum, this includes long sleeves and pants, a helmet rated for off-road use, eye protection, gloves, and boots. A chest protector, elbow and shin guards, and a hydration pack would be a good investment, too.
Measure up. Anyone who’s visited an amusement park is familiar with the non-negotiable height requirement meant to keep kids away from rides that are dangerous for them. Similarly, younger kids — usually those less than six years old — will need to grow a little more before they climb aboard an ATV. Even when they’re old enough to ride, youngsters should be paired with a machine that’s the right size for them.
Stick to single occupancy. It’s great to share the ATV experience, but unless your machine is configured to carry more than one person, you should not carry passengers.
Share your plans. Before you turn the ignition key, make sure someone knows where you’re going and how long you’re going to be gone.
Keep it off-road. ATVs, as the name suggests, are meant for riding in the woods and fields, not on suburban streets or other paved roadways. And while you’re off-roading, remember to ask permission before crossing private property.
Avoid bushwhacking. Stick to well-marked or familiar paths rather than blazing new trails. There are hazards — stumps, mud-holes, unseen fence lines— that lie hidden in unfamiliar territory. You never want to encounter these obstacles when you’re not ready for them, particularly traveling at a high rate of speed.

This is not a comprehensive list of guidelines. You should study the owner’s manual for your particular ATV and learn as much as you can about off-roading laws, which differ from state to state, sometimes county by county. To find an offroad safety course, check out offroad-ed.com. It offers links to safety education courses and study guides for ATV programs run by all 50 states.

Sources: consumeraffairs.com; atvman.com; atvsafety.org; svia.org

The information included here was obtained from sources believed to be reliable, however Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company, SI, and its employees make no guarantee of results and assume no liability in connection with any training, materials, suggestions, or information provided. It is the user’s responsibility to confirm compliance with any applicable local, state, or federal regulations. Information obtained from or via Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company, SI, should not be used as the basis for legal advice and should be confirmed with alternative sources.

2/2025