Fall riding season is here – and so is the risk

GREEN BAY and LA CROSSE, Wis. - As cooler temperatures settle in and riders gear up for fall trail adventures, Emplify Health is reminding ATV and UTV enthusiasts that safety must come first - in every season.

While summer is when ATV and UTV activity tends to hit its peak, the fall and early winter months remain prime riding time, as well. According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), 300 ATV and UTV crashes were recorded in 2025 - 40 percent more than the 10-year average - resulting in 42 fatalities. For 2026, the Wisconsin DNR has recorded 29 fatal incidents through mid-August, with the busy fall and hunting season already in full swing.

"The fall season brings some of the best riding conditions of the year, but it also brings added risk," said Dr. Brad Burmeister, Emplify Health by Bellin emergency room physician. "Shorter daylight hours, wet leaves, unpredictable terrain and hunting activity all change the riding environment. We want every rider to make it home safely, and that starts with preparation and the right safety gear."

Riders of ATVs and UTVs have far less structural protection than occupants of conventional vehicles, making even a moderate crash potentially life-altering or even fatal. More than half of last year's fatalities were the result of rollovers - situations where protective gear can be the difference between life and death.

For Wisconsin's 2025 crashes that resulted in fatalities:

• 80 percent were not wearing helmets
• 76 percent were not wearing seatbelts
• 72 percent of operators lacked safety certification

Emergency departments treat broken bones, head and neck trauma, brain and spinal injuries and even paralysis from crashes that involve poor ATV and UTV safety measures.

"These numbers tell a clear story - most of these tragedies are preventable," said Dr. Mason Fisher, Emplify Health by Gundersen trauma surgeon. "Wearing a helmet, buckling a seatbelt and completing a safety course are simple choices that dramatically improve your odds of walking away from a crash. We're asking every rider to make those choices before they ever turn the key."

To operate on public trails or roads in Wisconsin, riders must complete a DNR-approved safety course. The Wisconsin DNR makes it convenient to take this course in person or online for anyone over age 12. Certification helps ensure that anyone operating an ATV or UTV understands how safety plays a crucial role in this outdoor activity.

Regardless of what time of year you one is riding, it's important to remember these key tips when operating an ATV or UTV:

• Never consume alcohol before or during operation
• Wear a helmet on EVERY ride
• Always wear a seatbelt in a UTV (required by law in Wisconsin)
• Dress for the conditions
• Travel at the appropriate speed for the terrain and level of experience
• Operate only on designated trails or roads
• Ensure a responsible adult supervises any rider under 16
• Complete a DNR-approved safety course

For trails, roads and safety information related to ATV and UTV riding, visit dnr.wisconsin.gov/atv.