Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources will deploy conservation wardens and county recreation deputies across the state Sept. 4-6 to enforce all-terrain vehicle safety laws during the Labor Day weekend, the agency said.
The enforcement campaign, called "Think Smart Before You Start," will focus on accident prevention by monitoring for illegal and unsafe operation, with particular attention to safety equipment use, impaired driving detection and speeding, according to the DNR.
The initiative comes as the state has recorded 31 ATV and UTV fatalities and 66 self-reported nonfatal accidents so far this year. "This is trending in the wrong direction as we continue to see an increase of injury and fatal ATV and UTV crashes," said Lt. Jacob Holsclaw, the DNR's off-highway vehicle administrator. He noted that a large percentage of crashes involve riders not wearing helmets or seatbelts, operating without completing a safety course, or riding under the influence.
The DNR recommends riders wear helmets, seatbelts and eye protection, ride sober, follow speed limits and traffic signs, and take a safety course regardless of age requirements.