Virginians are being urged to prioritize safety when using utility terrain vehicles as outdoor activities increase this spring and summer, according to a May 28 announcement from the Virginia Farm Bureau Foundation AGPAC.
Curt Porterfield, assistant director of facilities and safety for the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, said, “UTVs can be dangerous machines. Many folks don’t respect the machine enough to know its dangerous capabilities.” Porterfield identified hazards such as speed, slope, excessive weight distribution, and machine conditions as top causes of UTV-related crashes and injuries. He also noted that the affordability and availability of used UTVs have contributed to increased incidents because these vehicles may not always meet necessary safety standards after private repairs.
According to a 2024 report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, off-highway vehicle-related deaths in the United States increased by 32% from 2018 to 2020. In Virginia alone, there were 37 reported deaths from such incidents during that period. Nationally, about 100,900 emergency department-treated injuries associated with off-highway vehicles occurred annually between 2018 and 2022.
Porterfield highlighted common mistakes including operating a UTV while underage or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. He advised potential buyers to consider each machine’s limitations before purchase and emphasized keeping rollover protective structures intact unless designed otherwise. “Read the operator’s manual in its entirety, establish a relationship with your dealer, and ask questions about your machine,” Porterfield said.
Safety recommendations include performing equipment inspections before riding; checking for recalls on the Consumer Product Safety Commission website; consulting manuals for cargo limits; ensuring all riders wear appropriate protective gear; carrying first aid kits; monitoring state or county requirements for land use; buckling up seatbelts; limiting passengers based on available seatbelts; evaluating terrain at slow speeds; avoiding paved roads; frequently checking in if riding alone; considering slope hazards—generally targeting slopes under fifteen degrees—and understanding towing limitations.
Porterfield encouraged all owners to seek proper training through resources like those offered by rohva.org/learn-to-drive. The Virginia Farm Bureau Foundation AGPAC promotes agricultural prosperity across Virginia through advocacy efforts in the General Assembly, partnerships with companies such as Case IH and John Deere offering member savings on equipment purchases, annual membership funding initiatives set at $40 per year, resource provision for member success in agriculture statewide—all supporting residents throughout Virginia, according to the official website.
