By Fazeena Saleem
DOHA: Injuries due to all terrain vehicle (ATV) accidents increase during winter and especially because people drive the vehicle without taking proper safety measures, said an expert.
ATV crashes can cause serious injuries, including death and permanent disability. The lack of awareness on the injury potential of this popular recreational activity has escalated the risk of injury. Absence of safety programmes and regulations has further increased the problem, said Dr Ahmad Zarour, Director, Trauma Intensive care Unit at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).
He suggested that compulsory use of helmets and other protective clothes could avoid serious injuries.
“ATV accidents are very high during the winter season, because many people take ATV rides in the desert area. All these serious accident injuries are preventable, if people take precautions,” Dr Zarour told The Peninsula.
“Unfortunately, many patients we receive were not wearing helmets and protective clothes. Protective gears should be made compulsory,” he added.
HMC recently concluded a research ‘All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) crashes in an unregulated environment: A prospective study of 56 cases.’
The research aimed to find about injury patterns, impairments, and outcomes among patients injured in ATV crashes; to determine prevalence of protective equipment use; and to define the potential role of injury prevention in addressing the problem.
During a 10-month period researchers studied some 56 patients who were injured in ATV crashes seriously enough to require admission at the hospital.
Patient demographics, site of crash, prior ATV experience, and use of safety measures were recorded. Injuries were characterised according to which body part was affected and tabulated. Outcomes, including deaths and impairments, were recorded.
According to the findings, there were 47 males (84 percent) and nine females (16 percent) among the patients. Most injuries occurred in people older than 18 years, but 20 percent happened in children less than 14 years of age. Helmet use was confirmed in 12 percent. Three patients died (five percent mortality). Significant disability occurred in 19 patients (34 percent) and permanent impairment in four (seven percent). Head, face and musculoskeletal injuries were most common, according to the findings.
Among the patients who had received head and face injuries, 24 were admitted with musculoskeletal injuries. Eighteen received torso injuries and 10 were with spine injuries.
The research also suggests introducing an ATV safety law. It suggests that certain restrictions such as minimum age of operator and passengers to be introduced.
The Peninsula
