Ride smart, live long - The essential guide to ATV and UTV safety

Dec 29, 2023

All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and Utility Task Vehicles (UTVs) are not just vehicles for adventure and utility; they are also a responsibility. With over 100,000 emergency room visits and around 650 fatalities annually in the U.S. due to ATV/UTV incidents, safety can't be overemphasized.

While ATVs and UTVs are versatile for tasks like towing, hauling, and snow plowing, they pose significant risks. These vehicles, often weighing over 2,000 lbs., are prone to rollovers, especially on paved roads, and are not designed for passengers, making them particularly hazardous.

To mitigate these risks, adhering to safety strategies is imperative. Wearing a helmet with good peripheral vision is crucial, particularly on ATVs. Avoiding loose clothing and ensuring that long hair is tied up can prevent entanglement in the vehicle's moving parts. It's also essential for the operator to comfortably reach and operate controls, stand upright while straddling the seat, and possess enough strength to manage the vehicle, including pushing it off if pinned underneath.

Children under 16 should not operate adult-sized ATVs or any UTVs. Driving these vehicles on paved or public roads is a strict no-no. Safety courses are highly recommended to familiarize operators with these vehicles' nuances.

Remember, what’s legal isn’t always safe. When riding ATVs and UTVs, it's not just about the ride; it's about riding to live. Be smart, be safe.

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.