ATV drinking and driving taking toll on Alberta health-care costs

More than half of ATV drivers killed in Alberta had been drinking, according to research from the Injury Prevention Centreat the University of Alberta's School of Public Health.

"People think they're off public roads and doing some recreation activity, and havinga few drinks is probably a good way to relax and enjoy the activity," said centre director DonVoaklander.

"But you're still driving a motor vehicle and as we know motor vehicles and alcohol don't mix very well."

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The centre began tracking ATV statistics in 2002. It says149 ATV drivers were killedby2013.

Out of the 130 driverstestedfor alcohol, 55 per cent of them had alcoholin their blood.

• Sevenper centhad low levels (under 0.05 BAC).
• 51 per centwere over 0.05, which is unsafe and illegal to drive (vehicle would be impounded).
• 42 per centwere drunk, meaning they wereover 0.08 and violating the Criminal Code.

Major trauma victims show a similar pattern.Of those tested in that time, 43 per centwere positive for alcohol and36 per centwere over the legal limit.

Health-care costs in the millions

The direct cost of ATV injuriesto Alberta's health systemwas roughly$16 million in 2013, whichworks out to an average of$13,909 for each person hospitalized with an ATV injury.

• $9.5 million for hospital admissions.
• $3.8 million for ambulatory care visits.
• $2.7 million for physician services.

The cost is $18,000 if ahead injury is involved, according to centreresearch.

"Monetary costs to the health system are onething, but the human cost is what we're trying to prevent here," said Voaklander.

"What really is at stake are those lost husbands, brothers, sons daughters, wives, etc., that cannot be replaced."

He saysATV deaths can be reduced in Albertaby changing the culture and enforcing rules against drinking and driving.

Calls for mandatory helmet use

Voaklander says mandatory helmet useandadhering to manufacture guidelines for appropriate ATV and off-highway vehicles for youthbased on size and agewould also make a difference.

He says children under 16 should be prohibitedfrom riding or being passengers on adult size vehicles,and no passengers of any age should ride an ATV built for one rider.

Alberta is also the only province without a helmet law.

But roughly 14 per cent of those whodied fromhead injurieswere wearing a helmet.

Voaklandersayshelmets can't protect against excessive speed and the weight of a vehicle in a rollover.

'Side-by-side' ATVs a growing concern

That concern is amplified in the "side-by-side" ATVs, which he saysarea growing problem for kids and women.

The vehicles are perceived to be safer because they're equipped with seat belts and rollover bars, but many people who use them are not buckling up.

"We're seeing a rise in the number of female deaths, which suggests the side by sides are becoming more popular with that demographic," he said.

Alberta also lags behind several other provinces when it comes to ATV laws, including Nova Scotiawhereage and weight guidelines areenforced for children and teens.

Training alsoneeded, says expert

Nova Scotia has alsorequiredanyone using an ATV since 2012 to have training, something Voaklander says should be mandatory in Alberta.

It would helpyounger riders avoid some of the injuries sustained from basic manoeuvres, such as negotiating hills anddisplacing theirweight when turning corners.

Education would also send aclear message on the dangers ofdrinking and drivingATVs,Voaklander says.

Alberta's transportation minister hasasked his department to provide a range of options on how to best approach the issue of ATV safety, and will be engaging with key stakeholders to get their views, the Alberta government said in a written statement.

"The government will take a balanced approach that respects the use of ATVs while ensuring the safety of all users," it said.