(Juneau) Wisconsin ATV and UTV operators are being reminded to ride safely. Already this year there have been five ATV and UTV fatalities in the state, with none of the victims wearing a helmet.
Jake Holsclaw is the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ off-highway vehicle administrator. He says, “we want to make sure that everybody’s wearing a helmet if at all possible…and then also a state law anybody under 18 has to wear a helmet.”
Holsclaw says alcohol is a factor in many ATV-UTV crashes.
“We want to make sure that people know that, hey, if you’re going to get out on one of these machines wait to celebrate until you’re done operating for the day.”
Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt urges area riders to be cautious while on busier roadways.
“I would hate to have anybody…let alone any of our deputies roll up on another one of these fatalities,” says Schmidt. “It’s no different than a traffic fatality with a vehicle. We roll up on these and it’s another family, it’s another brother, another sister, another mother, father, friends that are losing a loved one.”
Officials recommend all ATV and UTV operators complete a safety course, which is also a requirement for younger operators.
–WRN contributed
