WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) is raising the alarm over a 127% increase in off-highway vehicle (OHV) fatalities in 2024, with 632 lives lost — including 119 children aged 16 and under. The spike, which includes deaths of toddlers and even an infant, underscores the urgent need for safety and awareness as summer approaches.
“Year after year, CFA has found the percentage of children dying in OHV-related incidents to be deeply alarming,” said Courtney Griffin, CFA’s Director of Consumer Product Safety. “It is heartbreaking and unacceptable to see even toddlers included in these fatality statistics. These are preventable tragedies, and more must be done to protect our most vulnerable riders.”
“All OHVs, even youth models, pose risks,” said Dr. Gary Smith, President of the Child Injury Prevention Alliance. “OHVs are fast, complex machines, and due to their design, they roll over easily. One wrong choice could lead to the emergency department or worse. Children younger than 16 years just aren’t ready for the demands of safe riding, so we encourage parents to find a different activity for their child.”
An analysis of per-capita OHV fatalities by state from 2013 to 2024 reveals a troubling trend between on-road OHV allowances and elevated fatality rates. West Virginia leads the nation with the highest per-capita OHV death rate, followed by northwestern states such as Alaska, Montana, and Wyoming. This pattern underscores that permissive on-road OHV policies are linked to greater risk and loss of life and highlights the urgent need for government action and increased public awareness.
Recent threats to the independence of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) may have a direct and dangerous impact on OHV deaths and overall consumer safety. The CPSC plays a critical role in setting and enforcing safety standards, issuing recalls, and providing unbiased, science-driven oversight. Undermining its independence, such as through the abrupt firing of commissioners and attempts to place the CPSC under greater political control, weakens its ability to protect the public from dangerous products. CFA warns that politicizing the CPSC limits its effectiveness and puts lives at risk. It is vital that the CPSC remains an independent, bipartisan agency, focused solely on public safety.
CFA urges consumers to take the following seven critical steps to reduce OHV deaths and injuries:
- Never operate an OHV on a road.
- Never permit children younger than 16 –years old to operate an adult-size OHV or any OHV that is too large or too powerful for them.
- Always wear a helmet and other protective gear when riding an OHV.
- When riding an OHV that contains seatbelts, always wear them.
- Never allow more people on an OHV than it was designed to carry.
- Never ride when under the influence.
- Take a hands-on safety course.
More information and annual fatality data are available at Off-Highway Vehicle Safety and Fatality Data · Consumer Federation of America